Real Taiji Quan is the most articulate martial, healing system of movement in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s based on the Fa-Jing Chuan or Explosive Energy Boxing of the World Taiji Boxing Association. Erle Montaigue’s W.T.B.A. teaches the internal martial and healing systems of Wudang, Taijiquan, Qigong, Dim-Mak, and Baguazhang.
Taijiquan is the foundation of our methods. We practice Yang Chen Fu Long Form a lot. We spend some time on Baguazhang forms. We explore Dim-Mak, Qigong, and Wudang, and we hit things (we train Fa-Jing) just a bit, along the way. Right now (during May) we
- hammer on Pushing Hands in all Taiji classes (Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat)
- explore a bit of Fa-Jing Stick on Wednesday nights
- hone our Baguazhang forms on Saturdays
Classes ebb and flow in content, depending on the competence and interests of students. We gain momentum.
World Taiji Boxing Association Connection
I spent 6 strong years practicing Japanese Karate at Central Minnesota Karate with Tim Keil. I discovered the finesse of pressure points in 1991 with Jack and Beverly Gustafson at Saint Cloud Karate Instruction. And I began studying W.T.B.A. methods in 1993, in a workshop hosted by the Gustafsons. Erle Montaigue taught Tai Chi Chuan methods and San Sau training.
Erle’s methods of Taiji seemed so potent — vicious and beautiful, heavy and fresh — his Taiji seemed brutally honest. I learned immense amounts from his DVDs, and my Tai Chi Chuan went deeper. The forms of this system get more and more articulate and internal as one progresses in experience, and the training drills build the movements right into one’s reflexes.
Erle’s in-depth publications — DVDs and books — provide foundation materials for training in Real Taiji Quan. My name is Steven Smith — I’m the guy in the header of this page. I teach Real Taiji Quan.
Currently, I’m the only World Taiji Boxing Association Certified Instructor in Utah. It’s an honor given to me in October of 2007 by Eli Montaigue. Please join me in Salt Lake City, Utah to practice this boundless internal art.
Real Taiji Training
I take a lot of liberties integrating ideas, movements, and training driils that have principles similar to our Taiji patterns, motions, and concepts.
Throughout the system, we train hard and we train soft. Difficult, intense, invigorating, hard work helps increase our strength, stamina, toughness, and pain threshold. We use intense Single Pushing Hands and Durable Double Pushing Hands and Striking Methods for this.
Working softly, easy, slowly, and sensitively develops our reflexes, reduces our fear-reactions, and increases our sensory responsiveness. Sticky Hands, Pushing Hands, Qigong, and Slow Motion teach us how to move nicely and thoroughly.
Our core training device, ultimately, is Single Pushing Hands. And we first develop S.P.H. by working hard; after we gain structure then we train sensitivity. Likewise, we develop tight models of Double Push Hands, Da-Lu (Four Corners Drill), Large San-Sau, Small San-Sau, Sticking Hands, and Wudang Hand Weapons to ensure proper self-defense progress and Yin-Yang internal balance.
Health & Healing
I lived in therapy industries for 10 years. I studied and practiced massage therapy for 5 years and I studied and practiced mental health therapy for 6 years. Beyond that I’ve been my own experiment with nutrition and herbal therapies since 1990. I know a bit about health and healing.
To get health or to heal, you need fearlessness. You gotta have guts. That’s what we develop first when we study martial arts; this is where healing begins — with supreme, ultimate confidence. It takes guts to break old habits, bravery to try new movements, and forward motion to change your ways. Combat training and fighting exercises develop fearlessness.
We use simple, health movements to increase sensitivity and awareness of our bodies. We learn easy, self-healing energy-work: Qigong. And we train exercises and drills that encourage fear-reduction, sensitivity, and healthy, fit, healing hands and minds.
It’s intense. Learn it.
