You want to know how to practice Tai Chi forms—but you want to learn more before you dive in.
There are many styles of Tai Chi. And within the different styles, are even more forms.
Knowing what to expect in a Tai Chi class can be confusing.
We help you understand Tai Chi forms as we give you an in-depth look at Korean Tai Chi forms. Keep reading—you’ll be on your way to attending a Tai Chi class with confidence.
• Are There Different Forms of Tai Chi? • 3 Korean Tai Chi Forms • #1: DahnMuDo Tai Chi • #2: DahnGong Tai Chi • #3: ChunBuShinGong Tai Chi • Ready to Get Started Practicing Tai Chi? Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi Has Classes for Every Ability Level
Yes, there are many different Tai Chi forms under the different styles of Tai Chi.
• Techniques • Poses • Benefits; and • Purposes
• Balance • Strength • Flexibility • Mood; and • Energy
The more you learn about the Tai Chi sequence of movements and forms, the more you can experience life flowing inside of yourself—connecting Heaven energy with Earth energy together in your body
Note: It’s important to note that the East Asian concept of “heaven” may differ from the European Christian concept, as “heaven energy” refers to a celestial energy plane vs. after-life paradise.
This is the main reason why we at Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi practice and teach Korean Tai Chi forms. The human body is the connector between different energies. Korean Tai Chi helps you tap into the natural balance of life energy.
Keep reading as we take a closer look at the three Korean Tai Chi forms.
Body & Brain’s Korean Tai Chi forms were created by the Founder, llchi Lee, and are based on timeless principles of self-discipline and his decades-long study of ancient Korean energy traditions.
Practicing this style of Tai Chi can help you develop the ability to move with the flow of energy throughout your daily life.
• Bright • Positive; and • Peaceful
…and your body in optimal health.
The fresh energy moving through can cleanse your body of energy imbalances and heaviness—bringing it to a harmonious state.
At Body & Brain, we show you not only how to train your own mind, but also how to become one with the flow of life.
1. DahnMuDo 2. DahnGong 3. ChunBuShinGong
(translated as “the way to limitless energy”) is a self-healing, non-combative martial art form derived from the ancient tradition of Korean healing and martial arts forms.
DahnMuDo combines Tai Chi and to create mental and spiritual strength—helping to open your joints and strengthen your core through energy
• Kicks • Hand strikes • Held postures • Strong forms • Soft forms
While some forms can be challenging, DahnMuDo is gentle enough to benefit anyone—regardless of ability or age.
DahnMuDo movement is centered on the lower dahnjon, which is located near the second chakra. Your hip joints should be relaxed, and your body’s weight should be distributed evenly so that it rests solidly over your feet.
• Lower body strength • Improved respiration • Energy accumulation in the dahnjon
One of the primary forms in DahnMuDo commonly used at Body & Brain is a 7-posture form called Unkibohyunggong, transitioning smoothly between postures. Hand movements are added to different leg postures.
1. Bow Stance 2. Horse Stance 3. Empty Stance 4.Single-Leg Stance 5. Drop Stance 6. Sitting Stance 7. Cross Stance
• Move with confidence as you learn to feel your body and move energy around you • Grow stability and strength in the lower body • Develop and stimulate the hemispheres of the brain • Promote proper circulation of energy throughout the body • Have clarity of mind
1. Mind 2. Body 3. Spirit
DahnGong is a healing martial art and Tai Chi form designed to activate and purify your body’s vital energy (qi, ki, or chi) through specific self-healing postures and techniques.
‘Dahn’ refers to energy and ‘Gong’ refers to practice. DahnGong translates to "A way of training the body and mind while feeling the flow of energy."
DahnGong training can help you feel more energized—with lighter emotions and sharper mental focus.
It is a martial art form that is considered strong, yet gentle, having compressed power within its softness. Each strong action includes movements of relaxing.
• Activate and circulate energy throughout the body • Accumulate energy where it is most needed • Create a balance of energy that supports optimal strength and health
You can only experience DahnGong’s true power when you practice it while feeling energy.
• Breathing • Movement; and • Consciousness
…united in harmony, you may feel your body heat up.
There are five basic DahnGong forms (including beginner tai chi forms), each having a different purpose while preparing your body to control and understand the essence of energy.
• Movements • Hand techniques • Leg stances • Energy circulation techniques
This beginning Tai Chi form helps to correct misaligned bones and muscles and prepares the body physically for the next form.
The purpose of this form is to accumulate vital energy into the core—which is the center of the body.
Rather than exhausting you, long periods of training can energize you as energy keeps accumulating in the dahnjon during training as you move with the flow of energy.
The purpose of this form is to open the girdle meridian—which runs across your waist.
These exercises may include deep stretching, twisting, and joint rotation movements.
Girdle meridian exercises can prepare your mind and energy for the practice of DahnGong.
The purpose of this form is to open the conception and governing meridian channels—which run vertically on the front and backside of your body.
These exercises may also include deep stretching, twisting, and joint rotation movements.
Conception and governing meridian exercises can also prepare your mind and energy for the practice of DahnGong.
This is a Tai Chi form designed to help you learn to sense and circulate energy for brightening the consciousness—it is the final stage of our DahnGong basic Tai Chi forms.
ChunBuShinGong Tai Chi form contains different poses that correspond to each of the 81 characters of the , a sacred text of ancient Korea.
The text speaks of the essential principles of the universe and serves as the philosophical basis of Korean Tai Chi.
ChunBuShinGong has 46 different postures because 46 of the 81 characters are unique. Through each posture, the essence of that character can be felt. Combined with conscious breathing, the postures are held one by one—either held for a few minutes each or flowed from one to the other.
The postures and movements may begin to freely distribute the energy of the body and the energy of the universe—leading to a feeling of oneness with the universe.
• Infuse your body and mind • Make your body healthy and strong • Create a peaceful mind
Are you ready to experience the power of a martial art?
• Less stress • Increased energy • Improved pain management • Improved sleep • Improved muscle strength • Improved mood
Tai Chi energy-balancing classes are great for people of all ages—they can be adapted to your abilities and goals.
• Strength and stability • Circulation and breathing • Qi management
Contact us to try an online or in-person Tai Chi class. We can help you make a plan to achieve your goals with Body & Brain.