Sweden Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center In October 1998 Masters Yang Zhendou and Yang Jun established the International Yang style Tai Chi Chuan Association in Seattle. Its aim is to spread and develop the traditional Yang family tai chi chuan by developing new centers, membership to individual practitioner, introducing a ranking system of evaluating practitioners level of skill. Today, the Association has 28 Yang Chengfu centers in 12 countries, committed to teaching the traditional Yang style tai chi chuan as taught by the Yang family in China. Yang family taichi For those in Europe who would like to be members or establish a new Yang Chengfu center or to be tested for ranking, contact Therese Teo Mei Mei. Seminar with Mei Mei in Cambridge 11th to 12th October 2008 in Florence 28-30 November 2008 http://taichi.firenze.it/en/semMeiMei.php    Taijiquan commonly known as taiji, is an exercise that regulates and strengthens the human body, mind and respiration, in order to achieve a higher level of equilibrium and inner strength. Although its origin is unclear, it dates back as far as the 8th century. Developed as a martial art, besides bare hand techniques, it includes practice with different weapons like sword, sabre, spear etc. In the past, it was developed for combat, in order to protect villages against bandits and robbers, and also used during uprisings and rebellions. Gradually with the invention of modern weapons, taijiquan began to develop its health and healing aspects more. Today, although the martial art aspect is still applicable, taijiquan is practised mainly for preventive and therapeutic purposes, to keep fit and prolong life. Read about the two styles taught at the school - Yang-style and Chen-style. We have intermediate and advanced courses in both Chen and Yang style after the student have trained in the basics.    Summer/Autumn 2008! More info here. Yang Taijiquan 17th August Chen Taijiquan 3rd October Swimming Dragon 16th August Copyright 2008