T'ai Chi Ch'uan Home

Tai Chi is a meditation or prayer that uses an appreciation of breathing, movement, and balance instead of words. St. Patrick's prayer says, "May the Way of God guide you." In the slow, gentle, meditative movements, we discover the Way that flows throughout creation. Creation is total giving without regard to return on investment. St. Patrick prayed in cold streams to find union with God. The long flowing movement of Tai Chi is entering a stream of prayer.

Tai Chi is an exercise to develop the whole person in mind, body, and spirit. The movements are done slowly and smoothly. First developed in ancient China to enhance meditation, it was carried to this country and popularized by Master Da Liu. The instructor, Charles Riley, studied directly with Da Liu for five years and has been practicing since 1980.

My Instructor, Da Liu

Master Da Liu was a noted author and a pioneer of Tai Chi Chuan in the USA. He authored 7 books on Taoism, Chinese Culture, Tai Chi Chuan, Meditation, and the I Ching. As a long time student, I was fortunate to be allowed to tape his form and self-defense techniques in 1985 at Columbia University. Da Liu demonstrates and explains the form. There is also a section without sound in which he demonstrates the effectiveness of self-defense techniques. He was about 80 at the time, but he could easily handle young men much larger and younger than he was. He was the perfect example of how Tai Chi maintained a peaceful mind, healthy body, and enlightened spirit. More on Master Liu's life can be found on the Tai Chi History page.

To request a video in DVD format of Da Liu Teaching the T'ai Chi Ch'uan Form, Push Hands, and Self-Defense Applications, please use the button below to enter a secure online transaction using PayPal. Da Liu demonstrates and explains in detail the 50 movement form he developed. It is a Yang Form, the most popular form practiced, and it contains all of the Yang movements in a compact form. It is split into two sections. The first section is easier for the beginners and less physically fit. Da Liu also demonstrates the sport of Push Hands and Self-Defense Applications. He taught them for a better understanding of the form.

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Group Class Information in Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania Virginia

For group classes at the Fredericksburg, Virginia Parks and Recreation Facility, please call (540) 372-1086 ext. 204 or go to http://www.fredericksburgva.gov/pr/recware/Recware.htm . Beginning classes are Fridays from 6:30 pm to 7:30. Intermediate/Advanced are Fridays from 7:35 pm to 8:35. Sessions are quarterly.

Information on group classes at the Spotsylvania, Virginia Parks and Recreation Facility can be obtained at (540) 507-7529 or http://www.spotsylvania.va.us/departments/parksandrec/activities/currentprograms.cfm . Sessions are 6 weeks, Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:30.

Private Instruction

For private instruction at $40/hr, please call the instructor, Charles Riley at Criley1038@msn.com. The classes are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

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