Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan training at a park.

Tai Chi (also known as Tai Chi Chuan) has a number of translations: "Grand / Supreme Ultimate Fist", "Boundless Fist" or "Great Extremes Boxing".

The concepts Tai Chi has been built on can be traced back to Taoist and Confucian Chinese philosophies. For those who have read Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, you can see many of those concepts repeatedly discussed, such as Ying and Yang, and ideas of strength coming from softness. "Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water,

Yet nothing can better overcome the hard and strong" - Lao Tzu, 6th century BC.

Tai Chi practice usually involves both individual forms and training with a partner. Most of the forms are practiced empty-handed, however various weapons can also be learnt. Many people today view Tai Chi as exercises for health, however it is classified as an Internal Martial Art, and many teachers still teach its martial art applications.

Tai Chi Chuan has great benefits in three distinct areas:

The Taoist symbol of Ying Yang.

1) Your health - the body will become more supple and relaxed through Tai Chi training, and balance will improve which is particularly important for the more elderly practitioners of the art. Ligaments will also strengthen through practice.

2) Your mind - Tai Chi is actually a moving meditation, not only will your body become more relaxed, but your mind will as well. A calm mind translates into less stress.

3) Martial Art - Tai Chi can be used for self defence using the principles of Taoism. Not instructors teach these, and many practitioners are happy with just the above benefits.

There are numerous styles of Tai Chi, some of the more famous are: Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu and Sun. Each style will have different movements, and the length and number of the forms may also differ. Weapon types used will also differ from style to style.

The most important thing to check when deciding on where to practice is the lineage of the instructor, as well as how long he / she has been practicing. Tai Chi takes a lifetime to master, and in order to teach it properly the instructor must have had proper training for an adequate period of time. Ask the instructor about his lineage and check that his teacher has allowed him to teach.

If you happen to live in Melbourne, Australia I recommend trying out a class at this Tai Chi school in Melbourne where I have been training for the past few years.