Scooch's Health and Fitness, Swede St, Norristown, PA 19401, US

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) originated as an internal martial art for self-defense but has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that promotes good health and longevity. Tai Chi is easy to learn yet difficult to master. It can be practiced as slow methodical movements, with a focus on balance, structure and deep breathing. It can also be practice with a combination of slow and explosive (fa jin) movements to simulate martial applications. This is what makes tai chi a versatile art to be practice for health and/or martial benefits by anyone regardless of age or physical ability. Classes at the Phoenix Martial Arts Center are taught progressively from the basics of standing meditation to more complicated empty-hand and weapons forms and two-person exercises. Also, self-defense applications are often used to make the forms come alive in real-world scenarios. The practice has great depth so the novice and advanced student can learn something new each class.