Butterfly Tai Chi is now being offered in Oregon. We have regularly scheduled classes at multiple locations, as well as instructor certification courses! Be the first to teach Butterfly Tai Chi in your area of the United States. Contact us for information about our very first upcoming instructor certification camp in 2011. We are also proud to offer both the Butterfly Tai Chi DVD and book, by accl
aimed author and martial artist, Martin Faulks. Butterfly Tai Chi was inspired by observing the almost magical motion of butterflies around fragrant flowers. Martin Faulks noticed almost by accident, how soon after emerging from their Chrysalis, butterflies moved their wings before flying off. This enlightening discovery lead to the development of a system of Tai Chi that could be performed in a limited space and during a relatively short period of time. Butterfly Tai Chi is a form that involves very small-frame movements, and like the butterfly, these unique exercises create a significant flow of energy around the body. The traditional styles of Tai Chi consist of movements joined together like a slow dance. One move flowing to another without hesitation. The form appears to the onlooker to be like clouds floating across the sky or similar to a snake moving slowly along the floor. Each traditional form consists of 108 movements and really needs to be performed in a large hall or outside. In recent times it has become increasingly difficult for people to find room to practise such a long form and many find it hard to remember all the movements. As a teacher Martin realized many students found even the modern short forms hard to practice in enclosed Western domestic settings and so resolved to develop a form of Tai Chi that could be performed while standing on the spot. In a hotel room for example, or small flat. The need for Butterfly Tai Chi was there and on a trip to Kew Garden Martin found the answer. he noticed butterflies moving their wings to warm themselves in the sunshine. Watching mesmerized, Martin realized this was the only animal he had ever seen exercise. Butterflies, being cold-blooded, flap their wings in the sunlight to warm up a little before they can fly. The butterfly was stationary but inside everything was moving, flapping its wings it was circulating newly warmed blood throughout its being. The penny dropped: if the practitioner was going to be stationary then the flow had to happen internally. We need Tai Chi movements that naturally enhanced the Qi flow in the order dictated by Chinese medicine. Thus was born the Tai Chi set described in the best selling book, Butterfly Tai Chi. Brought to life in this inspirational film we believe Butterfly Tai Chi to be even more effective than the traditional Tai Chi forms as a stimulant to health.
