Origins of Tai Chi
According to the Tai Chi mythology, it was conceived in the Song dynasty, in the 13th and 14th centuries by a Taoist known as Zhang San-Feng, who had studied martial arts at the Shaolin Temple and he was also a learned man in spiritual disciplines. During a retreat at Wudang Mountain, he observed the interplay between a crane and a snake as these fought each other. The swooping attacks of the bird and the elusive movements of the snake inspired him to create a form of martial art based on the interplay of Yin and Yang, as opposed to the practice of using strength to overcome an opponent.
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Philosophy of Tai ChiTai Chi is rooted in Taoism, and in the I Ching, or Book of Changes, which advocates natural effort. The movements and principles of Tai Chi are derived from the complementary relationship between Yin and Yang, These are two fundamental forces that create and harmonize the Universe by their interaction.
The interaction of Yin and Yang is vital to the practice of Tai Chi since physically and mentally the practitioner is continually shifting between empty and full, soft and hard, stillness and motion, to achieve a proper and evolving equilibrium. |
Schools of Tai Chi
- Chen Style: Energetic, mindful, spiral movements
- Yang Style: Gentle, graceful, large movements
- Wu Style: Flexible, delicate, small movements
- Sun Style: Agile, fluent, high movements
Principles of Tai Chi
- Alertness
- Control
- Calmness
- Natural breathing
- Centeredness
- Use will power, not muscular force
- Circular movements
- Coordination
- Continuity
- Harmony
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Benefits of Tai Chi
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