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The Golden Flower Style is a system of T'ai Chi developed by San Gee Tam, the Master of our Association. It is designed as an integration of all the basic principles which people can usefully apply in their daily lives. It is easy to learn at a basic level, yet has sufficient depth to warrant study for many years by all but the most advanced T'ai Chi student.
WHY WAS IT DEVELOPED?
The Golden Flower Style is an integrated set of practices, which are designed
to give the student maximum benefit in the shortest amount of time. The idea
is to help as many people as possible to improve their health and realise
well-being in their lives by making available effective and efficient tools.
These tools are based in the wisdom of the ancients, and thus have very
developed roots. San Gee Tam's expertise
is to bring this forgotten and often misunderstood knowledge to the populace
and demonstrate and explain it in comprehensible terms. Just like the chef
who prepares healthy food which tastes good , San Gee knows how to create
a tasty, healthy menu with T'ai Chi!
WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?
The basic exercises can be learned in about six months. However, to fully
master anything in T'ai Chi takes years of dedicated practice. The
practice is the reward, and you will see the effects almost immediately
if you apply yourself and stay open to the possibility.
After studying and teaching T'ai Chi for many years with top level masters, San
Gee Tam saw the need for a more simple starting point for study.
He realised that the traditional methods were appropriate for the time they
were invented, and the culture they came from, but they did not easily
meet the needs of the modern day westerner.
With his background of working with thousands of people (both in individual sessions
and in groups) he saw that there might be a better way to more directly
contribute to the people of today. The old way would still be maintained, but only for
those rare individuals who are willing to dedicate their
lives to the development and study of one thing. This training is preserved as the
highest level of teaching in this school: the Small Circle, Internal Power Method.
For the rest of us, he created the Golden Flower Style! It is approachable and
easy to get to know, yet is deep enough to be of service to most people. If you
can walk, you can do the Golden Flower Form!
The Golden Flower System includes a range of exercises. These can be categorized
broadly into Loosening Up exercises; T'ai Chi Forms; and Energy Cultivation
practices. Note, however, that each practice includes aspects of the other
categories: T'ai Chi is an integrated art after all! Also, they have a depth which
is only apparent once the basics have been well understood.
