a member of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation  e-mail: stevehiggins@rogers.com

Who We Are

INSTRUCTOR STEVE HIGGINS (IN WHITE) WITH CLASS

Cold Mountain Internal Arts is a small, non-commercial Taiji and Qigong club located in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The members meet two or three times a week to practice the internal arts together and enjoy each other's company. Over the years its location has varied; we've met in parks, stock-rooms, a variety of buildings (which were either condemned or in receivership) and presently in a church gymnasium. The total membership hovers between 30 and 50. The membership of the club is mixed. We usually have a group of "Newbies" who are experiencing their first exposure to the internal arts; we also have 10 and 12-year veterans. Some members have their own clubs and some others teach Taiji classes for a variety of community organizations.

Philosophy of Instruction

Generally speaking, our focus is on health issues, although the subject of combatives is addressed as an essential part of the learning process.

Taiji (alternatively T’ai Chi, Taijiquan or T’ai Chi Ch’uan) has three classical and two modern functions.

The modern functions are:

(a) Taiji as a contact sport, and

(b) Taiji as a competitive art form.

Both of these functions are on display at almost any significant Chinese martial arts tournament.

While these two latter-day aspects of Taiji are responsible for drawing many to the practice of the art, it nevertheless should never be forgotten that its essence resides in its classical functions:

(a) Self Defense,

(b) Health Maintenance and Therapy,

(c) Spiritual Training and Meditation.

At Cold Mountain Internal Arts, our focus is upon these latter values. We believe that these values are a tripod upon which the rich integrity of the art rests. Further, that when one of these is neglected, the stability of the whole is compromised. A truly holistic approach to Taijiquan requires that all three classical aspects be regarded as an integrated whole. We also believe that artistic empowerment can further these ends.