Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)

Why doesn’t one or all of Teacher Tom Walters’ advanced students take over teaching a Tai Chi Chuan Class with the City of Fullerton Recreation Department?  Teacher Tom Walters did ask if any of the advanced students would be interested in continuing the Tai Chi Chuan classes with the City of Fullerton Recreation Department.  The advanced students have full time jobs and/or family care obligations that make it impossible to commit to teaching a Tai Chi Chuan class on a regular basis.   

What does the monthly Tai Chi Club fee cover? The monthly fee that our Club Treasurer collects from each of us pays for the monthly room rental fee permit to the City of Fullerton Recreation Department.  We are a not-for-profit Tai Chi Club that practices the Tung Family Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan forms.  

Do you follow all City of Fullerton and Orange County health and safety protocols for the Covid-19 virus?  Yes.  All Tai Chi Club members have received the Covid-19 vaccinations, maintain a 6 feet radius between each other during practice, and we maintain all windows, doors, air conditioner and/or fans to maintain good air circulation within the room rental.

When and where does the Tai Chi Club meet each week? We meet every Saturday morning (10:30-11:30 a.m.) either at the  Hillcrest Park Recreation Building (upstairs) at 1155 N. Lemon or at the Red Cross Building at 1207 N. Lemon in Fullerton. 

Do you practice any other Tai Chi Chuan styles other than Tung Family Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan forms?  No.  Our Tai Chi Chuan Club in Fullerton practices only the Tung Family Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan forms as taught to us by Teacher Tom Walters.  As part of the stipulation to be allowed to continue practicing the Tung Family Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan forms, we promised our Teacher Tom Walters not to “combine” or “merge” with other Tai Chi Chuan styles.  We practice “pure” Tung Family Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.

What is the origin of Tai Chi Chuan?  Tai Chi Chuan is believed to have been developed by a Taoist monk, Zhang San-Feng, who lived in China in the 13th century.  It all started with his keen observations of a fight between a large bird and a small snake outside of his window.  Each time the bird lunged at the coiled snake, the snake yielded by twisting its body away from the bird’s sharp beak.  The fight went on for some time but the snake was not harmed.  Eventually exhausted, the bird flew away in search of easier prey.  Zhang San -Feng combined this soft, yielding ability of the snake with the tough, physical strengthening of the Shaolin martial arts to develop Tai Chi Chuan.

What is Tai Chi Chuan?  Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient form of Chinese exercise and self-defense, encompassing a slow-moving sequence of postures that, if done correctly, should seem almost effortless.  Total immersion in this system of exercise can help develop better posture, increase arm and leg strength (without adding bulk), and improve cardiovascular conditioning/endurance.  Medical studies have shown that Tai Chi Chuan can improve joint flexibility, balance, enhance mental and physical health of the body, lower high blood pressure, and reduce symptoms of stress.  Tai Chi Chuan also develops the “qi” (chi) or internal energy and allows it to flow through the energy channels in the body to help maintain overall health and well being.  Tai Chi Chuan  is easy to learn, easy to practice, and a low impact exercise.

Are there any “Rules of Conduct” that your practice group follows when you get together?  Yes.  We continue to follow Teacher Tom Walters’ class guidelines in our Tai Chi Chuan practice group –> Please arrive on time for practice.  Make every effort to attend practice regularly.  If you enter practice late, please do not walk through the lines of participants.  See your place by walking quietly around the group.  Stay for the entire practice session.  During push hands practice keep unnecessary talk to a minimum.  Always show courtesy and respect to the visiting teacher, guests, and to your fellow practioners.  Shut off or silence cell phones or smartphones before practice session begins.  Do not chew gum or chewing tobacco or smoke during practice.  

 

Have there been any health benefits that your Tai Chi Chuan Club members noticed from practicing Tai Chi Chuan?  Teacher Tom Walters never stated that we would derive any health benefits from  regularly practicing Tai Chi Chuan exercises although countless medical literature “suggests” that Tai Chi Chuan is “good for you.”  Here are my “subjective” observations on what Tai Chi Chuan exercise has done for me –> I used to be 20 pounds overweight, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a borderline Type II diabetic.  My family doctor placed me on various medications, sent me to nutrition and diabetes classes, and emphasized exercise.  She stated that if I did not have time for a structured exercise regimen, I should try Tai Chi Chuan exercise.  I signed up for the Tai Chi Chuan Class offered by Teacher Tom Walters in Fullerton.  I noticed a gradual improvement of my health in six months practicing what Teacher Tom Walters taught me each week at home every day.  Definitely my balance became better, I gradually lost weight, my blood pressure returned to a normal range, lowered my cholesterol level, and I had better control of my diabetes.  I noticed that I now have toned muscles, better posture, and a relaxed mental outlook.  Tai Chi Chuan has changed my whole outlook on life.  Tai Chi exercise is not intimidating.  The slow, synchronized movements are easy to learn and to perform.  It can be practiced anywhere without special equipment or clothing.