WATCHING those slow-motion tai chi exercises in the morning, often by seniors, it's easy to forget that graceful, dance-like tai chi is a martial art and can be used in combat.

Hangzhou has a number of schools, but only one, founded by architect Jin Hui, teaches combat. Jin just opened a new branch, aesthetically blending ancient and modern, and also opened a nearby tea and cultural house on Xiaohezhi Street.

Tai chi's basic fluid movements gently promote the correct flow of qi or energy throughout the body, as well as blood circulation. They also promote flexibility, balance (those slow movements are difficult) and, it is said, general well-being and peace of mind.

Many older people practice tai chi to preserve their health and balance, lest they stumble and risk breaking bones.

Tai chi was first developed as a "soft" martial art, one that applied internal power, to distinguish it from the "hard" martial art styles.

The art has several schools, such as Yang, Chen, Sun and Wu; some use "open fist," some use weapons, all have different postures. All can be applied in combat.

Every serious beginner chooses one form to pursue and usually practices for a year to achieve a basic understanding. Then it's time to start "pushing hands," a gentle sparring between two partners.

Pushing hands is the basic way to phase-in learning defense and offense. It works to counteract a person's natural instinct to resist force with force, teaching the body to yield to force and redirect it. Students learn to respond to external stimuli using postures and movements from practice.

Fighting sport

Training with a partner, students develop their ting jing (listening power), which refers to the skin and muscle becoming "sensitive" and "feeling" the direction and strength of a partner's intention. Eyes and intuition are also important.

In pushing hands training, student partners cooperate in defensive and offensive movement principles and learn to deliver power as well as neutralize incoming power without injuring themselves.

A few schools and clubs in Hangzhou teach partner exercises and martial applications - virtually all of them are outdoors. But the only one to teach actual combat is the Rouzhiyi Tai Chi Club, which is indoors and has a business license.

"Tai chi combat is a fighting sport protecting you and your opponent," says club founder Jin, an architect who has practiced tai chi for more than 20 years. He opened the club in 2006.

Jin, who is slim, at first learned Shaolin kung fu in his youth but he wasn't built for the fierce punching, kicking and jumping. He switched to tai chi to become a kung fu guy with a strong body.

He opened the club to tell people that tai chi is not a performance, like dance, nor just a way to keep fit, like yoga.

"Tai chi is a martial art and a form of athletics that has roots in China's profound culture," says Jin. "Tai chi performance and competitions do not represent the real meaning of tai chi."

The club also teaches tai chi culture and health maintenance. Practicing tai chi causes people to sweat, but it's not tiring, it's easy and comfortable, Jin says.

Compared with other marital arts, tai chi is a whole body movement with little explosive power. Every muscle and joint gets trained and so do the nerves, so that mind and body movement are integrated, a sense of inner power is developed and the person feels at ease.

Tai chi's health benefits are well known. One student says he has lost fat and now can tighten his belt three notches. Another says he no longer visits the doctor. Others say they are better able to handle stress and their temperament is more even.

Jin cites the example of his first teacher, Chen Sulan, who died three years ago at the age of 94.

Chen had been weak since childhood. She had suffered a stroke, stomach pains and other ailments since she was 50. Her son registered her for a tai chi class long ago. Chen didn't want to go, but the fee was not refundable, so she gave it a try.

She became a legendary tai chi figure in Hangzhou.

Three years after taking up tai chi, her ailments were gone, her cardiovascular system was healthy and she was no longer at risk for stroke. She threw away her cane.

Ten years later, she became a famous master. She refused to teach rich people but instead insisted on teaching large groups for free every morning beside the West Lake. Her mission was to spread the wisdom of tai chi so more people would benefit.

Many challengers, mostly strong young guys, came to Hangzhou to see for themselves if this white-haired woman was really so good.

She gave a simple challenge: anyone who could push her down would win. But no one could make Chen lose her balance. The harder they pushed, the harder they fell - Chen used their offensive power to defend herself.

To be that good takes at least 10 years, says Jin, the club owner.

Jin invites well-known masters to teach. He offers junior, intermediate and advanced classes.

In the junior level, students learn tai chi theory, forms, positions and hand pushing. When they start to feel natural resistance to their movements, as with water pressure for swimmers, then it's time to advance.

The intermediate level teaches two hands pushing while taking steps. It emphasizes the importance of the mind leading the action; mind and body should be very relaxed; every part of the body should feel connected to a unitary strength. This level can take a year or more to master.

Advanced classes are limited to five students each and learning, for those who are serious, goes on for a lifetime. This is the stage that uses the essence of the martial art and all the postures in combat. Here, the mind leads everything, not physical force.

Three months ago Jin, drawing on his architect's skills and aesthetic, opened a new branch in the northern part of the city, on Xiaohezhi Street, an ancient watertown street. He also operates an outlet in the western part of the city.

Next to the new branch he opened a tea house as a place for tai chi practitioners, and everyone else, to relax. It also serves as a classroom.

Jin's club and tea house are filled will traditional, antique beauty and a modern feeling. The club has a round stage with white curtains hung on wooden beams. Above the stage is a stunning and intricate design of white wood beams. Each table in the tea house has a bamboo roof, inspired by Shaoxing black roof boats.

Jin made a considerable investment. So far the club just breaks even while the tea house is losing money. But Jin says he isn't in it for the money - he wants to spread culture.

"If many people become aware of the essence of tai chi and inherit the tradition, then it will be a tremendous success," says Jin.

Rouzhiyi Tai Chi Club

Address: 405 Zijinghua Rd

Tel: (0571) 8848-9923

Address: 28 Xiaohezhi St

Tel: (0571) 8896-6163