Tai Chi

Tai Chi training at the Lotus Temple is primarily in the Chen family style of Tai Chi. This is the original style, from Chenjiafou village in China, the birthplace of Tai Chi. Tai Chi was created in the middle of the 17th century, the end of the Ming dynasty, by Chen Wangting, a martial arts master and folk hero. Chen took the martial skills he possessed, and fused them with breathing and meditation skills, and Taoist philosophy, to create something greater than it’s parts. 400 years later, the principles remain true, remaining a deep and personal practice for health, well being, personal development, and even still personal protection.
Tai Chi is traditionally done in outside. Tai Chi is about being in harmony with nature. You don’t need special clothes, equipment, courts or rooms to do tai chi. just yourself, your breath, and a few square feet of flat ground. True to this tradition, Tai Chi instruction at the Lotus Temple is held at the  back of the Rose Garden, behind Raleigh Little Theater. When you schedule a lesson, we schedule a date and a raindate, just in case. Part of being in harmony is realizing forces greater than us, and this small concession to the weather is for me, deeply humbling and comforting.  Up to two people can be scheduled at any one time.

I also teach Qi Gong of various traditions as an adjunct to Tai Chi training, and as stand alone practices.  Your practice will be tailored to your particular needs.  For those who are interested in martial techniques, I train a select few in the internal martial aspects of Hsing I, Chuan Fa, Tai Chi, and Bagua.
As of July 2011, Lotus Temple now hosts four classes a week, all held at the Rose Garden, weather permitting. More information, and a complete schedule, can be found here.Triangle Internal Martial Artists

With Grandmaster Chen Zheng Lei and the keeper of the northern temple

with Master Luo De Xiu after intensive training(four in from right)