What is Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese martial art and exercise system, thought to have originated in Taoist monasteries on Wudang Mountain. It benefits health and fitness, and practised martially, is an effective form of self-defence.

'Tai Chi' is sometimes translated as 'supreme ultimate' or 'great polarity' and is expressed in the symbol of yin and yang. A universal force composed of the powers of yin and yang is central to taoist philosophy. 'Chuan' means fisted hand or boxing, tai chi chuan means supreme ultimate boxing, or a martial art using the principles of yin and yang.

Tai chi relies on technique, balance and softness. It is suitable for all ages and can be practised martially with a view to its applications for self-defence, or with the focus on the tai chi hand form, a gentle exercise system which promotes health and relaxation.

 

Principles of Yin and Yang

In Taoist philosophy, the yin and yang symbol represents the two  forces   which pervades everything in the universe. 

In the martial art tai chi chuan, the principles of yin and yang are used to attack and defend. Attacking is yang. A tai chi player aims to counteract an attackers yang by using yin to absorb and defuse it. The yang force is not met and blocked, yang is not used against yang. Instead the force of the attack is diverted away from the body with the minimum of force. Once an attackers yang has been nullified, he or she is unbalanced and yang can be used in a counter-attack.

Educated force, force with technique, stemming from an understanding of yin and yang, is essential to tai chi. The ability to switch between effective yin and yang quickly requires suppleness, agility and speed.

The Tai Chi Hand Form consists of a series of movements in which yin and yang  interchange. It develops awareness  of the way yin and yang can be used in self-defence and of the way your body works naturally, so you do not have to practise martial tai chi in order to benefit from the hand form. The motions  give you the suppleness and fitness you require, increasing health and vitality.

Tai Chi is an internal martial art, it is the way your body works . You need to become aware of your body and the way it moves, and achieve balance of yin and yang yourself. This is good for body and mind, since they are relaxed and in harmony.