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T'ai Chi Ch'uan "The Dance of Life"

© Mary Ellen Bradshaw

A Brief introduction to T'ai Chi(Taiji) Ch'uan

Tai Chi Ch'uan is said to be the most popular martial art in the world, a claim that may be justified by its enormous popularity as an exercise the world over. As with any martial art that has proven popular for a long time, many styles of T'ai Chi Chuan have emerged.

I have been a student of the most popular style of T'ai chi Ch'uan, Yang Style for 11 years. I have taught this martial art for 5 years. It is not only a hobby for me, but daily practice has become an integral part of my life. This article is just a brief introduction.

Tai Chi Ch'uan was derived from Taoism and is often literally translated as the "Supreme Ultimate," or the Yin Yang Boxing."

A likely reason for the name is that the T'ai Chi relies on opening and closing movements motivated by internal strength. This continuous cycle from open to close to open mirrors the Chinese concept of an endless cycle of Yang (masculine energy) to Yin (feminine energy) to Yang and so on. (Balance)

Tai Chi is represented by the familiar symbol: the circle divided by the light and dark aspects of Yin and Yang.

Chi is the breath, the vital or intrinsic energy, the life force.

Ch'uan means "fist" or system of self defense, so Tai Chi Ch'uan is: The system of self defense based on the principle of great polarity. (balance) T'ai Chi, however, is mainly practiced for health benefits rather than its martial arts applications.

Principles and Techniques

Tai Chi, is the slow, purposeful movement through a prescribed series of forms, or postures, which comprise a "set".

1. The first principle of T'ai Chi is relaxation. (Loose, No Tension (Sung)) The whole body must be relaxed and open so the "chi", vital energy can pass through without blockages. This is a principle of Tai chi as a health exercise as well as a system of self defense. Relaxing is not simply going limp, because going limp is lifeless, without vitality, whereas the relaxation of a cat is completely vital and alert. Be like the cat.

Relax the body, keeping the spine erect , head up and away from the shoulders, (top of your head connected by an imaginary string to the ceiling)

2. Breathe deeply and naturally.

3. Let the Chi sink to the Tan T'ien ( Pronounced Danchien) It is the area,1 1/2 inches below the navel,