Tai Chi

By use of the words "Tai Chi", most people actually mean "T'ai-Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)", or possibly "T'ai-Chi (Taiji)".

Usually, "Tai Chi" is used when actually only some particular aspect of "T'ai-Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)", — the highly disciplined, extensive and varied, so called "internal" martial practices are meant, or when only one of the various specific "Styles" of the Martial Arts that go by that name are meant. Some of the most common "Family Styles" of "T'ai-Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)" are "Chen Style", "Yang Style" (pronounced with a short "aa" sound; and where "Yang" here has nothing to do with the "Yang" in the "Yin/Yang Symbol"), "Wu Style", and "Sun Style" (pronounced with a short "uu" sound). All these "internal" Martial Art styles which fall under the heading of "T'ai-Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)" are of relatively recent Chinese origin, seven-hundred-and-fifty years or less. The Wikipedia article on Tai Chi Chuan is definitely worthy of a read.

When "Tai Chi" is used to mean "T'ai-Chi (Taiji)", this refers to the Taoist (Daoist) symbol, or what in American English is often called the "Yin/Yang" symbol. This symbol refers to an ancient philosophical concept regarding the nature of what "is" actual reality, and dates back possibly two thousand years or more. If you are interested in learning more about this Chinese philosophical system, look to the sources of Taoist (Daoist) philosophy, at the least as refered to in Tao Te Ching and the I Ching.

In Davis, there are quite a few teachers and groups offering classes, courses and guidance, both on the University of California (UC) Davis campus, and in the City.

At UC Davis there are many opportunities for obtaining quality instruction, including

• through the SPAC undergraduate and graduate student Tai Chi Club at UC Davis;
  

• through the Experimental College (EC courses #201-1, #201-2 & #202) — see the EC catalog for details;
  

• [and, there also used to be at the ARC through the ARC Martial Arts Program and the ARC Wellness Program, but these unfortunately seem to have been discontinued, - better check their current catalog].

These include a series of courses on the UC Davis campus, led by Jim Clingingsmith (Quan Ping Style) and by Daniel Quincy (Yang Style):

• Sifu Jim Clingingsmith's Quan Ping Style course (EC#202) runs every weekday at the rear of the Silo Building, near the Craft Center, at 06:00 A.M. - he's a good master and always welcoming to new students.
  

• Sifu Daniel Quincy's Yang Style courses (EC#201-1, #201-2,..., and others) are taught at various times of the day, — including:
  

• at Sunrise ~ 7:30 A.M. (Tues & Thurs, at the Eucalyptus Grove, North of Mann Laboratory; and Weds, on the North-East terrace/patio of the Carlson Health Sciences Library, — check with Sifu Quincy for exact "sunrise t'ai-chi" times during the current season of the year!);
  

• mornings ~ 11-11:50 A.M. (Tues & Thurs) under the Mullberry Tree in the Young Hall courtyard;
  

• at Noon ~ 12:40-12:55 P.M. (Tues in the "Half-Circle/Triangle" between SciLab & Briggs, and Thurs on the lawn or the patio East of Chem 194);
  

• afternoons (~ 3:20-4:50 P.M., Tues & Weds at the ARC in the ARC Martial Arts Room — but not Fall Quarter!); and,
  

• evenings (Tues 5:20-6:30 P.M. (Ch'uan (quan) solo Form) & 7:30-8:50 P.M. (T'ui Shou & San Shou martial play) by the Surge IV Buildings, — in Fall & Winter on the Surge IV central deck area, in Spring & Summer on the field So. of Surge IV; Weds 5:20-6:30 P.M. (Gan/pole, Dao/sabre, Jian/sword) by East Quad Drive on the Quad; and also some Fridays ~ 7:00-8:50 P.M. at the ARC in the ARC Martial Arts Room).
  

There sure are lots of opportunities to do great T'ai-Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan) on the UC Davis campus! The Experimental College classes, by the way, are open to anyone; you do not have to be affiliated with the UC Davis community to enrole in them.

Downtown in the City of Davis, California instruction is available through the Aikido Institute Davis, the Davis Art Center, the Davis Senior Center, and the Davis Senior High School.

In the above comments regarding the use of the term "Tai Chi" the following words are in the standard English written Romanization transliteration of the Mandarin Chinese words (i.e. the Wade-Giles system"): "chi", "ch'i", "ch'i kung", "T'ai-Chi", "T'ai-Chi Ch'uan", "Taoism"; and the equivalent words in the standard mainland Chinese Mandarin Romanization transliteration of the Mandarin Chinese (i.e. the Pin-Yin system) are: "ji", "qi", "qigong", "Taiji", "Taijiquan", "Daoism".

• I would highly recommend against taking Tai Chi from Daniel Quincy. I personally cannot believe the man is a Martial Art instructor. [edit]Despite his being very behind on a lot of rent/utility payments, I changed what I wrote, so that the guy wouldn't attempt to sue me for "defamatory comments" [/edit]" JimmyPan