Wuwei Tai Chi
Wuwei Tai Chi is a somewhat unique approach to traditional Tai Chi. The name of our school comes from the Taoist term for "not-doing" or Wuwei in Chinese. We try to take this approach to heart, practicing the art of optimal action through "not-doing" interfering actions.
The Wuwei Tai Chi curriculum consists of a progressive set of exercises and forms leading up to the traditional Chen (Xiao Jia branch) and Yang style Tai Chi forms. Our system of study includes the following elements:
- Short Tai Chi and Qi Gong forms for graduated learning
- Tai Chi awareness exercises
- Tai Chi healing exercises to release tension and help heal chronic pain
- Martial arts applications to practice effortless action
- A Tai Chi-based approach to Hatha Yoga
- Traditional Tai Chi bare-hand and weapons forms
- Push-hands
Overall, we approach Tai Chi and the Taoist philosophy in such a way so that it can benefit us in every aspect of life and really bring about a full transformation of the person. The curriculum of our school is designed to make the incorporation of Tai Chi principles into everyday life a really practical thing that is both fun and easy. We place a strong emphasis on helping people to learn to use Tai Chi to heal chronic tension and pain and to learn more optimal patterns of body use.
We hope that people from all walks of life and disciplines, including those with prior experience in Tai Chi, will find benefit in the Wuwei Tai Chi School exercises and theory. People with experience practicing Yoga, meditation, and other martial arts as well as athletes, dancers, and musicians have found that the practice of Tai Chi improved their performance in these areas as well as the overall quality of life. As a musician, I personally discovered a huge improvement in my playing as a result of Tai Chi study as well as a profound transformation in my well-being and happiness.
Classes
Mind Body Flow Tai Chi - Tuesdays 5:45-7:15pm
A basic class using the Wuwei approach to Tai Chi with applications to daily life, Yoga, healing touch, and meditation.
Open to all levels. Taught at the Integral Yoga Institute Princeton.
Yang Style Tai Chi - Fridays at 3-4:30pm
The Cheng Man Ching Yang style form taught with the Wuwei approach. Classes are in Franklin Township.
Open to all levels. Please email Aaron for more information.
Additional private and group instruction is available upon request. As there are many students do not live close enough to one of the Wuwei Tai Chi School branches to visit regulary, we are currently developing a distance learning program. Please contact Aaron for more information.
Contact
Instructor: Aaron Craelius aaroncraelius [at] gmail [dot] com
About The Teacher
Aaron Craelius began studying Tai Chi and Zen Meditation in 1999 with Deneal Amos of the New Canaan Academy. He has been studying Chen (Xiaojia branch), Yang (Cheng Man Ching style), and Wuwei Tai Chi forms, Qi Gong exercises, and martial applications with Sifu Wonchull Park of the Wuwei Tai Chi Main School since 2003 and has been a certified instructor since 2007. Aaron continues to study closely with Sifu Park and also assists him with his public classes. He studied massage therapy at Health Choices Holistic Massage School and has studied massage and energetic bodywork techniques in relation to Tai Chi with Sifu Park. Aaron was certified as an Integral Yoga Instructor in 2010. Aaron also has a Bachelor's degree in Math from Dartmouth College and is a Cellist and Guitarist with over 25 years of musical experience.
