Tai Chi Chuan: (tàijíquán; : t'ai chi ch'üan) is a subset of Wu Dang Internal Boxing. Tai Chi is practiced for a variety of reasons: its martial aspects, stress reduction, health and longevity. Tai Chi Chuan's forms are well known as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning all over the world.

Overview

The Mandarin term "t'ai chi ch'uan" literally translates as "supreme ultimate fist" or "grand terminus pugilism" or "Yin Yang boxing". While tai chi chuan is typified by exceedingly slow movement, traditional tai chi also includes pugilistic training of a faster pace. Traditional schools of tai chi include partner exercises known as tui shou  (push hands), and martial applications.

Tai chi chuan is classified as Neijia (soft or internal). It is an art applied with internal power known as Chi/Qi. The physical movements of tai chi chuan are a powerful synergy produced by the use of leverage combined with relaxation, rather than muscular tension, in order to neutralize or initiate attacks. The study of tai chi chuan martially is the study of yielding and blending with outside force rather than meeting it with opposing force.

Medical studies of tai chi support its effectiveness as an alternative exercise and a form of martial arts therapy. It has a worldwide following among people with little or no interest in martial training because its benefit to health. The slow, repetitive work of learning how leverage is generated gently and measurably increases and opens the internal circulation (breath, blood, lymph, digestion, etc.).

It’s often called a form of moving meditation. Focusing the mind on the movements of the form helps to bring about a state of calm and clarity. The focus and calmness cultivated by the meditative aspect of tai chi is seen as necessary in maintaining optimum health (in the sense of relieving stress and maintaining homeostasis)

T'ai chi and Naturalistic Philosophy are linked. The principles of T'ai chi practice can be applied to living life. The balance of yin and yang in combat, or in a broader philosophical sense, is one of the goals of tai chi chuan training. Lao Tzu wrote, “The soft and pliable overcomes the hard and strong."

Traditional Yang Style

To qualify as a truly “traditional” branch of tai chi chuan, a school should be primarily known as a “boxing school.” Of the various branches, Traditional Yang Clan, being orthodox, is arguably one of the most complete martial systems of Tai Chi Chuan. It encompasses various weapons (sword, falchion and lance), pugilism, binding (locking), throwing and use of pressure points. Also training of the internal energy, chi/qi through various breathing exercises is a cornerstone to the art.

Tai Chi Chuan History

There are more than 300 different known martial arts styles practiced in China. These are categorized into two Chinese Martial Art systems, the internal and the external systems. The internal system includes Tai Chi, Sheng-I and Pa-Qua styles. They emphasize stability and have limited jumps and kicks. The external system includes Shao Lin, Long Fist, Southern Fist, and other styles. They emphasize linear movements, breathing combined with sound, strength, speed and hard power impact contact, jumps, and kicks.

There are many different styles or families of Tai Chi Chuan. The five most commonly practiced today are the Yang,  Chen,  Wu, Sun, and  Woo styles. All Tai Chi styles, however, are derived from the original Chen family style.

Some people believe that Tai Chi was developed by a Taoist Priest from a temple in China's Wu Dong Mountains. It is said that he once observed a white crane preying on a snake, and mimicked their movements to create the unique Tai Chi martial art style.

Initially, Tai Chi was practiced as a fighting form, emphasizing strength, balance, flexibility, and speed. Through time it has evolved into a soft, slow, and gentle form of exercise which can be practiced by people of all ages. In our studio we like to do a little of both.

Yang Style History

The modern origins of Tai Chi begin with Chen Wang Ting who lived in northern Honan province during the 16th century. Chen was an army officer and probably learned Tai Chi at some time during his military career. After retirement he returned to his native Chen village (Chen being the family name of the village's dominant clan) where he taught his Tai Chi to other villagers. The style has been handed down for generations within the village and even to this day a few Tai Chi practitioners make the pilgrimage to Chen village in China to study the style firsthand from Chen's descendants. During this time the Chen style spawned three offshoot variations.

Later a young man by the name of Yang Liew Shan (1799-1872), heard about the Chen village's reputation for Tai Chi expertise and went there to learn what he could. The village elders refused to admit anyone who was not from the Chen clan, but Yang persisted and was finally allowed to study (or may have learned covertly). One story says he watched Chen Chang-Hsin teaching Tai Chi through a hole in the fence and began practicing what he saw on his own. It is said that Chen later realized Yang's talent and agreed to teach him.

After several years, Yang returned to his village to teach the art to his relatives and neighbors. Yang's reputation grew quickly and since his village was close to the capital of Beijing his reputation reached the imperial palace.  Yang was eventually invited to instruct the imperial family. Endorsed by the imperial family, Yang's Tai Chi became increasingly popular and today the Yang style is the most well known of all the styles.