Tai Chi is a major branch of Chinese martial arts that is primarily practiced for it’s health benefits, including tension and stress, relaxation and as a form of self-defense. The name Tai Chi comes from the Chinese words meaning “great ultimate.” It is also known as Tai Chi Chuan meaning, “great ultimate fist.” Among martial arts, there are two basic types, one is called hard martial arts and the other one is soft martial arts. Hard martial arts are like karate and martial arts. The soft martial arts are Ba Gua and Tai Chi.The study of Tai Chi Chuan is unique in the sense that it marks the historical event of many centuries of Taoist study known as Chi Kung (“excellence of Energy”). It was primarily dedicated to the physical health and spiritual growth. It was very much needed at the time (about 1,000 A.D.) for monks to defend themselves against bandits and warlords. So at that time came an unusual mixture of healing art/martial art which has been known as the internal practice of Tai Chi Chuan.There are five styles of Tai Chi: The Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun and Woo Schools. Although each of the five styles has characteristics of their own, the essences for all are the same. The most popular style in China is the Yang: the Yang 24 Forms Tai Chi set being the most widely practice. The health benefits have much to do with Tai Chi characteristics. The exercise requires a high degree of concentration, with the mind free of distractions. Breathing is natural, sometimes involving abdominal reparation and its performance is in the rhythmic harmony with body movement.THE NATURE OF TAI CHITai Chi is based on the Chinese principle of yin and yang, in which opposing but complementary forces combine to create harmony in nature. According to traditional Chinese medicine, disease is caused by a disturbance in the flow of qi (chi), of life force. People who practiced tai chi believes that it can promote physical h...
