What Is Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan)?
This is a question I have been asked many times.
Taiji Quan (also known as Tai Chi Chuan) is an ancient Chinese internal traditional martial art.
Quite a mouthful. So let’s break it down.
Tai means Ultimate or Supreme. Qi (Chi) means Energy. Quan (Chuan) means Fist.
Based on ancient Chinese philosophy, starting with Chang San Feng, the legendary Chinese Taoist who is considered the greatest teacher of Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan), of which various forms have evolved over the centuries. None were more popular than the Chen style and the Yang style. Taiji Quan was kept secret by the Chen and Yang families and these secrets were passed down from generation to generation. Eventually, these forms became a simple routine that became accessible worldwide.
Today, the simplified Yang Style Taiji Quan is the most widely practised form worldwide, as a health exercise and not a traditional martial art.
Taiji Quan is a series of fast and slow body movements combined with martial arts techniques designed to improve the flow of qi (chi) through the body. It is a martial art that involves discipline, strength, dedication, commitment to training and promotes personal growth at every level.
Also considered as “meditation in motion” because of the continuous movement, which never stops or obstructs the flow of qi (chi). As Taiji Quan is an internal martial art, regular practice can protect you from diseases and other internal attacks on the internal organs. By practicing Taiji Quan, we develop a strong mind, build a healthy body, cultivate a positive spirit and learn self-defence, for balance and coordination, thereby enjoying harmony and relaxation.
There is a Chinese expression that says “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Taiji Quan is that first step.
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan originates from Hebei Province in China and was created by Yang Luchan from his study of Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan. He modified Chen’s style and removed all fighting aspects of the form to make it more accessible to Chinese people.
It was simplified further and due to the simplicity of the movements and comfortable movements, it has become the most practiced style of Taiji Quan around the world. Unfortunately, there are not many people who teach it as it’s true form, which is a traditional internal martial art with self-defence techniques. It combines hardness with softness and slow flowing movements.
These short videos below show the Yang Tai Chi style movement
Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan
Chen Style Taiji Quan is recorded as the oldest style of Taiji Quan, from which all other styles originate. It originates from China’s Henan Province. There are two main open hand forms: old frame and new frame. It consists of slow and fast, soft and firm movements, with solid jumping.
Practised at a lower centre of gravity – lower stance position – which is lower than other styles, it varies in pace with slow sections and gradual build-ups to explosive releases of power.
The silk reeling and circular movements of the postures in this style is far more evident. Moreover, the strength of Taiji Quan’s ‘soft and hard’ aspect is much more obvious. This style is full of practical and effective fighting techniques.
These short videos below show the Chen Tai Chi style movement
The Chuan Of Tai Chi Chuan
Chuan (Quan) is the fighting or shadow boxing (shadow) part of Taiji Quan. It was developed as a means of self-defence, but many people don’t teach this part. Different from other martial arts, that are aggressive and external, Taiji Quan is a ‘soft’ combat that absorbs an opponent’s attacking force (energy) and uses it against him. This is the balance of opposites (yin and yang) where soft overcomes hard.
Taiji Quan is a fighting art for close combat which is calm and relaxed, from whence comes speed. I call this my SST (speed, surprise, technique). SST is used to overcome an opponent rather than to use aggressive force. Though Taiji Quan is a ‘soft’ combat, it was designed to maim and kill. Being a defensive martial art, rather than an offensive one, one uses minimum effort for a maximum result to defend one’s self and neutralise an opponent.
The story goes that on this occasion, Chang San Feng (the founder of Taiji Quan) watched a bird attacking a snake and was inspired by the snake’s defensive tactics. It remained calm and alert in the face of the bird’s attack until it lunged and fatally bit its attacker. This incident inspired him to create the internal martial art of Taiji Quan.
These are the original Chuans of Taijiquan;
# Dragon Chuan – training attention and spirit, emphasising lightness, stillness and change.
# Tiger Chuan – strengthening the bones, emphasising jumping up and down.
# Leopard Chuan – practising the application of force, emphasising jumping and fighting.
# Snake Chuan – practising inner breathing, prolonging the body, becoming very sensitive and active.
# Crane Chuan – training concentration, stability, accuracy and determination to defeat the opponent.
Taijiquan is steel wrapped in silk.
The Effects Of Tai Chi Chuan On One's Health
One cannot reap all of the potential health benefits of Taiji Quan if one does not practise the martial/combat part of Taiji Quan. Most diseases are related to stress. Taiji Quan treats these diseases first. By getting to the root cause and treating it from the inside out.
There are 12 main meridians throughout the human body. These are the containers through which our chi (qi) or life force energy flows. If we block the flow of chi (qi), we will get sick or die.
The various postures in the Taiji Quan form affect different organs in our body. Every movement carries qi (chi) to an organ starting from the base up, ie. colon, liver, lungs, heart, etc. and heals the mind. A strong foundation is key to good health and longevity. And also an intense boost of energy.
Practicing Tai Chi promotes harmony and balance of the body and mind, promoting inner strength in both children and adults.
Silk Reeling
Silk Reeling is a set of repeated circular arm movements of the expansion and compression of the bridges, with the knees bent and lower body rooted to the floor, with the Dantian driving the rotation of the entire body in a smooth, up-and-down coiling motion and weight changing from left to right.
The name comes from the twisting motion of the silkworm larva as it wraps itself in its cocoon. In order to successfully pull the thread out actions must be smooth and regular. There are no jerks or sudden changes in direction. Too fast, the silk will break, or too slow, it will stick and tangle itself.
Therefore, twisting the silk is a continuous twisting process.
This is the core method of movement in Taiji Quan and is emphasised in the Chen style. Silk reeling in combat involves yin and yang, which are movements used to absorb the opponent’s incoming energy by neutralising it (yin – female), then bouncing back and releasing it with terrifying force and momentum on your opponent (yang – male).
