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Teachers and centers

North Texas T'ai Chi - http://www.northtexastaichi.com/ 

My name is Forrest Rindels and I have been teaching the benefits of T’ai Chi for the past twelve years.  I have on-going T’ai Chi classes all over the Metroplex including the Emeritus College at UNT in Denton, several  HOA’s and Retirement Communities.  For ten years I was T’ai Chi instructor at CTMA and taught the faculty and students at TWU. I am a senior citizen myself and understand seniors and relate to them in a calm and relaxing manner.

I want to help your residents by bringing my classes to you! 

I offer classes once or twice a week for 30, 45 or 60 minutes.  Classes are flexible, interactive, challenging and fun and they are on-going, just jump right in.  There is something perfect for the beginner or longtime enthusiast!   

 Yang Style History

The modern origins of Tai Chi begin with Chen Wang Ting who lived in northern Honan province during the 16th century. Chen was an army officer and probably learned Tai Chi at some time during his military career. After retirement he returned to his native Chen village (Chen being the family name of the village's dominant clan) where he taught his Tai Chi to other villagers. The style has been handed down for generations within the village and even to this day a few Tai Chi practitioners make the pilgrimage to Chen village in China to study the style firsthand from Chen's descendants. During this time the Chen style spawned three offshoot variations.

Later a young man by the name of Yang Liew Shan (1799-1872), heard about the Chen village's reputation for Tai Chi expertise and went there to learn what he could. The village elders refused to admit anyone who was not from the Chen clan, but Yang persisted and was finally allowed to study (or may have learned covertly). One story says he watched Chen Chang-Hsin teaching Tai Chi through a hole in the fence and began practicing what he saw on his own. It is said that Chen later realized Yang's talent and agreed to teach him.

After several years, Yang returned to his village to teach the art to his relatives and neighbors. Yang's reputation grew quickly and since his village was close to the capital of Beijing his reputation reached the imperial palace.  Yang was eventually invited to instruct the imperial family. Endorsed by the imperial family, Yang's Tai Chi became increasingly popular and today the Yang style is the most well known of all the styles.