What is Tai Chi?

What is Tai Chi?

"Tai Chi" means - the principle of the dynamic interaction of opposing

forces as shown in the Chinese yin-yang symbol. "Tai Chi Chuan" is a

branch of kung fu, based on this principle of an ever changing balance

between opposing forces. It is a well-respected fighting style, but today

most people practice tai chi (chuan) quite peacefully to enjoy the mental

and physical health benefits.

The legendary founding father of tai chi chuan, Chang San Feng, was

born in 1247 A.D. As a young man he studied the classics and became

employed in the civil service of the emperor, but after his parents' death

he gave up his position and started a search for deeper wisdom.

For ten years he lived in the famous Shaolin Monastery where he

learned the hard kung fu style practiced there. For the monks kung fu

was both seen as a means of self-defence in a troubled world and as a

way to invigorate the body after sitting in silent meditation for hours,

Later he spent some time on the Wu Tang mountain meditating and

contemplating the ways of nature. One day he saw a snake being

attacked by a big bird of prey. Defending itself by curved movements

natural to the snake it managed to escape, as the bird could not get a

hold on it. Chang developed the idea of the curved movements into the

tai chi chuan fighting style which differs fundamentally from the hard

kung fu style: Curved movements instead of straight lines, defence

reaction before attack, deflection of the force of the opponent instead of

meeting it head on. The aim of the hard style of kung fu is to achieve

maximum force and hardness, so that the strong can crush the weak. Tai

chi chuan in contrast aims at the softest and most sensitive and

well-balanced reaction to an attack. Direct collision is avoided, so that

the physically weaker may have a chance to overcome the strong, This

demands better balance and great sensitivity to the force of the

opponent. The force of the opponent will meet little resistance as it

misses its target or is deflected. The defender will then add the strongest

possible force to the force of the opponent to send him flying or falling.

Some movements can be compared with a swing door which gives way

when it is pushed and as a consequence hits the back of the attacker

when it revolves.

The movements of the tai chi chuan form all have a martial arts

meaning, but they are soft, rounded and not so clearly aggressive as the

movements in hard kung fu or karate, so you don't attain the appeal of

hard style distinctive choreography when you perform the movements

quickly. Tai chi chuan fighting is not so much a show, but has a

surprising effect. What makes an impression on the person watching tai

chi are rather the indications of meditative balance and coordination.

While the hard styles show off, tai chi seems discreet - but as they say:

"like a sharp needle in a wad of cotton".

I was never in a serious physical fight with anybody since I grew up, and

training mainly alone I have hardly acquired great fighting skills. You only

become good at what you are actually practicing. But I still have a good

feeling that I would "instinctively"- because of years of tai chi training-

react in an effective way if I got into a fight