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Tai chi

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art. Initially developed for combat and self-defense, it has evolved into a sport and form of exercise. Tai chi is a gentle, low-impact form of exercise in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate, flowing motions while focusing on deep, slow breaths. Often referred to as "meditation in motion," tai chi aims to concentrate and balance the body's qi (vital energy), providing benefits to mental and physical health.[1]

This article is about the Chinese martial art. For the philosophical concept, see Taiji (philosophy). For other uses of tai chi, see Taiji.

Also known as

See etymology

Taoism

Forms:

  • Competition
  • Light contact (pushing hands, no strikes)
  • Full contact (strikes, kicks, throws, takedowns etc.)

China

Daoyin

Chen Wangting or Zhang Sanfeng

Demonstration sport

太極拳

太极拳

"Taiji Boxing"

Tàijíquán

Tàijíquán

ㄊㄞˋ ㄐㄧˊ ㄑㄩㄢˊ

T'ai4-chi2 ch'üan2

[tʰâɪ.tɕǐ tɕʰɥɛ̌n]

Tha-ciq jioe

Taai-gihk kyùhn

Taai3 gik6 kyun4

[tʰaːi˧ kek̚˨ kʰyːn˩]

Thài-ke̍k kûn

Thài-ki̍k kûn

Many forms of tai chi are practiced, both traditional and modern. While the precise origins are not known, the earliest documented practice is from Chen Village, Henan. Most modern styles trace their development to the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu (Hao), Wu, and Sun. Practitioners such as Yang Chengfu and Sun Lutang in the early 20th century promoted the art for its health benefits.[2] Tai chi was included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.[3]

Sitting meditation: The empty, focus and calm the mind and aid in opening the .

microcosmic orbit

Standing meditation () to raise the yang qi

zhan zhuang

to mobilize the qi

Qigong

massage to develop awareness of qi channels

Acupressure

is taught to advanced students in some traditional schools.[26]

Traditional Chinese medicine

(陳氏) of Chen Wangting (1580–1660)

Chen style

(楊氏) of Yang Luchan (1799–1872)

Yang style

(武郝氏) of Wu Yuxiang (1812–1880) and Hao Weizhen (1842–1920)

Wu/Hao style

(吳氏) of Wu Quanyou (1834–1902) and his son Wu Jianquan (1870–1942)

Wu style

(孫氏) of Sun Lutang (1861–1932)

Sun style

Yin and yang[edit]

More traditional practitioners hold that the two aspects of health and martial arts make up the art's yin and yang. The "family" schools present their teachings in a martial art context, whatever the intention of their students.[48]

Qigong

Self-healing

Wushu

Yangsheng (Daoism)

Agar-Hutton, Robert (2018). The Metamorphosis of Tai Chi: Created to kill; evolved to heal; teaching peace. Ex-L-Ence Publishing.  978-1-9164944-1-1.

ISBN

Bluestein, Jonathan (2014). Research of Martial Arts. CreateSpace.  978-1-4991-2251-0.

ISBN

(1999). See Man Jump See God Fall: Tai Chi Vs. Technology. International Promotions Promotion Pub. ISBN 978-1-57901-001-0.

Bond, Joey

Choy, Kam Man (1985). Tai Chi Chuan. San Francisco, California: Memorial Edition 1994.

Davis, Barbara (2004). Taijiquan Classics: An Annotated Translation. North Atlantic Books.  978-1-55643-431-0.

ISBN

Eberhard, Wolfram (1986). . London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0-415-00228-1.

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought

Frantzis, Bruce (2007). The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi: Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing-I. Blue Snake Books.  978-1-58394-190-4.

ISBN

Gaffney, David; Sim, Davidine Siaw-Voon (2014). The Essence of Taijiquan. CreateSpace.  978-1-5006-0923-8.

ISBN

Lǐ, Jiànqīng (2006). 永年太极拳志 [Yongnian Taijiquan Gazetteer]. People's Sports Publishing House.  7-5009-3044-5.

ISBN

Tàijí quán xué 太極拳學

Wile, Douglas (1983). Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions. Sweet Ch'i Press.  978-0-912059-01-3.

ISBN

Wile, Douglas (1996). Lost T'a-Chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty. State University of New York Press.  0-7914-2653-X.

ISBN

Yang, Banhou (楊班侯, 1875*), 太極法說 (Explaining Taiji Principles), available online in Chinese and English translation at and also included in Chinese and English translation in Wile, Douglas (1996) (*Scholars estimate the publication date to be between 1875 and 1910, and believe the author(s) to be Yang Banhou and/or his disciples)

Scribd

Yang, Yang; Grubisich, Scott A. (2008). Taijiquan: The Art of Nurturing, The Science of Power (2nd ed.). Zhenwu Publication.  978-0-9740990-1-9.

ISBN