Tai Chi, also known as Tai Chi Chuan, was handed down from different generations since its creation by Chang San-Feng. It was during the Sung Dynasty that this was introduced and from that moment on, there were numerous accounts of the form.

The form, or kung chia in Chinese language, are the different movements made through Tai Chi. One of the most common and famous form is the manipulation of the snake and the crane fighting. Master Chang, one of the advocates, copied this kind of fighting style and transformed it into a softer version of their coiling movements. The form that was developed had 13 postures that correspond with the trigrams and the Five Elements.

Master Chang’s lineage was not clear but what historians know is that he is a certain Chiang Fah. Chiang’s form was taught to a young man named as Chen Wang Ting. Chen was known to practice the art of Tai Chi in 1644. Descendants of Chen Wang Ting practiced their family form. Some of the characteristics of their form is done with emphasis on low stances, a silk-reeling move, and fast movements and were practiced periodically.

Tai Chi that was formed by the Chen family was secretly practiced and no one was allowed to use it outside of their home. But during the time of Chen Chang Hsin, which was in the year 1800, the tradition broke. He taught all of his family Tai Chi secrets and styles to his student, Yang Lu Chan.

The modern-day Yang style came from the grandson of Yang Lu Chan named Yang Cheng Fu. This paved the way to introducing one of the longest accounts in the history of Tai Chi. Its form consists of 128 postures. It is characterized by the warding off of energy using leaning movements with slow motion techniques.

The generation of the Yang family taught their students the techniques on Tai Chi. The masters chose their earnest students and made a lineage that gave birth to other styles namely Sun, Wu, and Hao. These styles may differ in the way they are portrayed and the performance differs as well but the principles that were observed by Chang San Feng remains the same.

There was this one student of Yang Cheng Fu named Cheng Man Ching. Cheng became the master of his own generation because of the revisions that he made with Tai Chi Chuan. One of the most famous changes that he made was shortening the form to a 37-posture Tai Chi. This is change made by Cheng is now the most famous form of Tai Chi that is practiced till this day.

When Cheng came to the U.S., he tried to teach and took on the interest of some students in all aspects of life. By doing so, he made the form popular to every men and women. This new form introduced by Cheng is originally known as the Yang Style in the shorter form. It become widespread, today, it is more popular with the name Cheng Style of Tai Chi.

The form of Cheng’s Tai Chi is characterized by an upright spine position, rolling back of energy and a softness that has its powerful attitude.

Taoism is the main contributor of the idea why, in the first place, Tai Chi was formed. This is because Taoism reflects teachings that fundamentally contribute to the reflective, mystic and serene view of the world and the nature we live in.

Tai Chi is not only a mere form of exercise. It can look like that but in reality and basing on the principles of every movement, it is more than what meets the eye. Tai Chi focuses in a lot of things but most especially with two main factors: health and science.

Health

Tai Chi is a Chinese tradition carried down from generation to generation that is done by slow flowing moves and balance shifting that strengthens the legs. While doing so, it conditions the ligaments and tendons of the knees, hips and ankles. It will increase the range of a person’s motion and make him or her more resilient and decrease the tendencies to be prone to pain and muscle spasms.

This shift in constant weight trains the body to balance and be more aware of its own status. It will lead to a more confident smoothness of movement that is practiced in the form and can be incorporated with everyday living. Tai Chi, through its physical exercises will readily focus the mind and condition the body. To practice Tai Chi for 15 to 20 minutes will dissipate stress and reduce any stress-related factors that will help increase stamina and strengthen the will and body.

People in the medical field recognize the advantages of practicing Tai Chi. Some of the benefits that were said – reduce risk of hypertension, increase oxygen intake and utilization that can lead to a more efficient breathing, strengthens the cardiovascular stamina, increase strength of joints and range of motion, the legs and knee are more powerful, and flexibility is increased. Stress hormones are reduced; making immunity improved and will heighten states of your mood.

Science

Science has discovered more benefits derived from being engaged in Tai Chi. By studying the smallest living organism inside our body, it is concluded that Tai Chi works through atoms and molecules inside and out. It has become a major exploration to research on what Tai Chi can and cannot do to our body.

Tai Chi conditions the different parts of the body. It cultivates a certain energy that travels through the sleeves of every muscle and nerve and those that come in between like films that are responsible for supporting and separating the different organs. Tai Chi reduces every cross-linking chemical that can contribute for cells to rust that may result to malfunctioning or strictly dying.

Aside from that, Tai Chi serves as a communicating factor for the relationship of organs to be more intimate. If Tai Chi is practiced at a certain level of discipline, it will, by then, be able to precipitate healthy changes deep inside the body like flushing out blood and making it flow freely around the vessels without the slightest fear of having a heart attack.

At the age of 50, physical strength declines. But with the help of Tai Chi exercises, it makes the major muscles in the body and almost all joints produce the perfect rhythm thereafter. It primes the body and increases the legs for it to become more flexible and loose. Studies show that people who are in the 80s and 90s are less prone to falling and their blood pressure decreased upon practicing Tai Chi.

It is most advisable to practice Tai Chi in the early morning when the sun is expected to rise to be able to catch more vitamins from the freshness of sunlight.

For those who are thrilled in experiencing Tai Chi, it is all-possible. Although, there are certain points to remember if you are really thinking of joining the group.

First, know some facts about Tai Chi. Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chuan is not different after all. There might be an additional character on the latter but the meaning stands the same. Tai Chi is just the shorter version. Tai Chi Chuan means “Supreme Ultimate Fist”. It is derived from a series of kung fu techniques so it can be applied as both a therapeutic activity and a medium of self-defense.

Range in the number of students in each class varies but you can expect about 20-30 students in each class. The age factor is between teens and up to the 90s. This art is not common for children though, because the slow movements will just bore them. But most likely, classes like this target people from the early twenties and so on. Men and women alike can enroll in the class. It is quite seldom to see a men-only or women-only class within a Tai Chi program. Generally, it is much more beneficial if men and women mix because of the energy that elevates inside the class.

Being fit is not a requirement. It’s okay if you are stout, thin, overweight or so. Even those who are permanently attached to their wheelchairs can adapt to the movements of Tai Chi. But a certain attention is required. But if you have undergone certain medical treatments, ask your doctor if Tai Chi is really meant for you because if it is contraindicated, might as well drop it. And if your doctor has approved with your Tai Chi, tell your teacher about your disability so he can adjust or restrict movements that you can’t handle.

Tai Chi is both an exercise and a martial art. But there are teachers that give out only the movements that are purely for health. There would be like at least 80{451cb9bdd6b9e2862e15979076b10dd5b792f4772bfb4b679a32dd47787626d3} of those who are engaged in the art embrace the idea of Tai Chi being an art. So if you think that you are the type who needs self defense more than an exercise, you can achieve this in some art that exhibits kung fu actions than health exercises. But if you are the type who wants the best of both worlds, Tai Chi is best for you.

Tai Chi is a form of internal martial art that is characterized by soft movements and is trained to be a relaxing and slower speed than other kinds of martial art.

If you keep on thinking what to wear on a Tai Chi class, you don’t have to shop for cool clothes. Special clothing is not a requirement. You just have to wear something really comfortable like snickers, T-shirts and jogging pants. Remember, it must be something that would allow you to move freely while performing every move. Never wear jeans or any constrictive clothing.

Things to expect while in a Tai Chi class are Qigong, which means meditation that is done by moving your body, or otherwise is in a stationary state. Push hands or what is known as tui shou, is an exercise that requires two persons who exchange energy by performing movements leveled with each other. You can also expect the use of weapons like swords.

These will be used in advanced classes and those who enroll are the ones who have already experienced the basics.

If you translate Tai Chi (Taiji), it would mean “Supreme Ultimate Force”. It is somewhat a state of infinite and absolute potentiality. It tackles on the concept between yin and yang or the Two Aspects governing the Four Realms and Five Elements. Using those very important aspects, the world is created. Tai Chi also means “unity, one, or being able to attain oneness.”

With the use of the concept of the positive and negative energy, Tai Chi is a form of force that can be assumed as a dual dynamic state in which force coming from within the body is used in means of achieving the supreme and ultimate discipline in oneself.

Today, Tai Chi is practiced in many parts of the world including the Western World. It can be a sort of moving meditation and yoga combined. Tai Chi has its many forms or sets that consist of a number of sequential movements that was derived from martial arts that can be in the form of imitating the movements of different kinds of birds and animals in the most gentle and invigorating way. Even if it is a kind of movement involving martial arts, Tai Chi is done in a soft and graceful manner entailing smooth transitions in between.

Practitioners see Tai Chi as a form of meditative interaction between the mind, body, soul and the environment. They don’t see it as a martial art technique but as an exercise to calm the body. Some consider Tai Chi as a combat interest because of its considerable force.

With regards to Chinese medicine and philosophy, the existence of “chi” is important to the vitality that enables to animate the body. One of the many aims of Tai Chi is to promote circulation of the “chi” throughout the body. By promoting this belief, the vitality and health of a person is normally enhanced. Once the “chi” circulates around the body, it goes to the pattern of the vascular and nervous system and any organ correlated to it. Thus, making Tai Chi connected with the principles of oriental healing and acupuncture.

One of the most familiar aims of Tai Chi is fostering the calmness and tranquility of the mind. One’s mind must be focused on executing the exercise precisely because doing it in a proper manner provides an avenue to learn things about balance, motor control, alignment, movement rhythm, and the list goes on. If the person practicing Tai Chi can practice it every day, then he or she will reach to the extent of being able to stand, run, move, and walk in a better position. It also touches some of the spheres in a person’s life as well.

There are numerous benefits seen by practitioners regarding Tai Chi. One of which is inhibiting the correct posture and alignment of the body which lessens further injuries and tension.

Push-hands is a kind of Tai Chi that involves two persons. Here, principles regarding Tai Chi are applied in a manner that the response of the other person is developed in a more sensitive way. It is an opportunity to exhibit martial arts aspects in a kind of a slow motion combat, without hurting the opponent.

An emphasis that Tai Chi has channeled through its practitioners is that they can give out an energy that may be in a form of a destructive behavior or context without dissipating that energy in a harmful way.

There is a common misconception for the new generation to think that Tai Chi is just for the elderly. It is popular for the older people because Tai Chi can contribute so much to their health. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t need to experience the rejuvenating power of Tai Chi. In fact, there are several forms of Tai Chi that can be practiced by people of all ages.

If they wanted something subtle and can also be used as a form of self-defense, you can try to practice the Sun style. It was derived from different kung fu techniques. You can choose from the different kinds of styles, anything that suits you.

Classes that form Tai Chi raises up to 15-20 people only. This is so they wouldn’t crowd in one place because Tai Chi is an art that needs sufficient space; wide enough to fit everyone in and not hit each other while doing the activity. The most common population included therein are those belonging to the early 20s until the late 80s. These are the people who see the benefits in performing Tai Chi.

According to physical therapists and those that are joined in the medical field, there are five distinct forms of Tai Chi and within these styles there are different variations. It is said that Tai Chi is suitable for those who are experiencing arthritis. Therapists are using the Sun style Tai Chi for lessening the effects of arthritis. If you are the kind that has arthritis, never try the Chen style because it is a bit brisk and is an active style that is not very much recommended.

If you have enrolled in a Tai Chi class that introduces several styles, that would be fine. Always remember that the right kind of Tai Chi is the one that you can easily perform without the fear of suffering pain or going through the excruciating movements that you can’t do. You have to do motions that don’t need any force.

Before enrolling in a Tai Chi session, make sure that you have spare time because it lasts for an hour and is held at least once or thrice a week. First, the instructors will start out on the easy task like a subtle warm up and deep breathing exercises. They may also suggest a brief meditation to calm the mind.

The instructor will demonstrate poses leading to sequences until it is linked in longer and smoother sequences that are all done in a step-by-step manner. You can either be taught to perform slowly or in a more energetic and speedy way. But you have to take note that the movements are always done in a very soft and graceful manner. The attention to posture and breathing is always emphasized.

As the way classes begin, it’s the way classes end. Sometimes, you do exercises to cool you down or even a short meditation is done. And when the class is adjourned, you will feel more refreshed and relaxed than before. If ever you felt pain on parts of your muscles and joints, tell your instructor about it. So as to change the movements that can be applied for your limits.

Now before you apply to the program, ask your doctor’s opinion about it especially if you have encountered any health problems in the past. You can ask certain advise if what are the movements to prevent.