What is T’ai-Chi Ch’uan?

The term T’ai-Chi Ch’uan is also spelt "TaiJiQuan" and commonly abbreviated to "Tai Chi" or "TaiJi".

Tai Chi is one of the ‘softer’ Chinese martial arts. There is an emphasis on yielding and neutralising rather than attacking. As such Tai Chi does not rely on ordinary ideas of strength. This makes it accessible to a wider age and fitness range than harder styles.

The general benefits of Tai Chi are:
  • General fitness
  • Mental and physical relaxation
  • General strength building
  • Agility and flexibility
  • Calmness and mental focus
  • It is a very adaptable system suitable for young and old alike

Many people are also captivated by the intriguing principles and mechanisms that govern the art which are drawn broadly from Taoist observations.

Tai Chi is essentially a martial art system originating from China that incorporates softness and looseness into functional exercise. However, as a martial art, it belongs to a minority often referred to as ‘internal’. An internal martial art is one that exploits mindfulness and 'internal energy' rather than relying on strength and/.or speed.

The cannon of T’ai-Chi Ch’uan literature is littered with stories of apparent weakness overcoming strength and speed or age over youth. These serve to illustrate the principles that underpin Tai Chi.

The emphasis on training mindfulness and internal energy has led to reports of extraordinary abilities in skilled practitioners. Research confirm that the mindful and internal focus of Tai Chi improves both physical and mental well-being. These benefits include improved physical fitness, greater stress reduction, and better emotional regulation. 
"After I practice Tai Chi, I always feel better, physically and mentally. The movements are very simple and beautiful." Da Kuai Student