What Is Taiji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan)?
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.
According to ancient Chinese philosophy, Taiji Quan began by a legendary Chinese Taoist named Chang San-Feng, considered to be the greatest teacher of Taijiquan. Over centuries many styles of Taiji Quan were developed, none 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 through the generations. Eventually, These forms became simplified routines accessible to the Chinese population worldwide.
Currently, 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 combat techniques designed to improve the flow of qi (chi) through the body. It is a martial art that involves discipline, strength, dedication and commitment to training, encouraging personal growth on every level.
Taiji Quan is also considered meditation in motion because of its continuously flowing movements, never pausing or impeding the flow of qi (chi). Because Taiji Quan is an internal martial art, one can defend oneself from internal attacks, such as diseases on the internal organs. Through practising Taiji Quan, we develop a strong body and mind, balance and coordination, and enjoy harmony and relaxation.
There is a Chinese phrase – “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
Taiji Quan is the first step.
The Quan Of Taiji Quan
Quan is the combat or boxing (shadow boxing) part of Taiji Quan. Developed as a form of self-defence but not many people teach this part. Unlike many 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 still and alert in the face of the bird’s onslaught 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 Taiji Quan On One’s Health
One cannot reap all of the potential health benefits of Taiji Quan if one does not practise the martial art of Taiji Quan. Most diseases are stress-related. Taiji Quan treats these diseases first, going to the root of the cause and treating them from the inside out.
There are 12 major meridians throughout the human body. These are vessels through which our qi (chi) or life force flows. If we block this flow of qi (chi) we become sick or die.
Different postures in the Taiji Quan form affect 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.
Practising Taiji Quan encourages harmony and balance of the body and mind and promotes internal strength for the young and the old.
COVID-19 And Taiji Quan
The health benefits one gains from practising Taijiquan are immensely beneficial during this COVID-19 pandemic. It strengthens the immune system, improves organ health, increases physical and mental strength, alleviates aches and pains and boosts general energy levels.
It stimulates the flow of qi (chi) and promotes overall balance and vitality.
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 is derived from the twisting and spiralling movements of the silkworm larva as it wraps itself in its cocoon. To draw out the silk successfully, the action must be smooth and consistent without jerking or changing direction sharply. Too fast, the silk breaks, or too slow, it sticks to itself and becomes tangled.
Thus silk reeling movements are continuous, cyclic, twisting and untwisting actions.
This is the core method of movement of Taiji Quan and is emphasised in the Chen Style. In combat, Silk Reeling contains aspects of both Yin and Yang, which are used to absorb and neutralise (Yin – female) the incoming force of an opponent and then bounced back and discharged (Yang – male) on the opponent with a frightening force of momentum.
