Tai Chi
Tai Chi is known fully as "T'ai chi ch'uan" which translates into English from Chinese as "supreme ultimate fist". It is an internal Chinese martial art used for both self defence and health. In the western world the art is normally abbreviated to Tai Chi.
The philosophy of Tai Chi is not to fight an attack with direct strength, but to meet it with softness and use its motion to keep in contact with the attacker until the attack is exhausted and can be safely deflected, meeting ying with yang.
Origins
There are 5 main styles of T'ai chi ch'uan, each named after the family from which it originated:
- Chen-Style (陳氏) of Chen Wangting (1580-1660)
- Yang-style (楊氏) of Yang Lu-ch'an (1799-1872)
- Wu or Wu/Hao-style (武氏) of Wu Yu-hsiang (1812-1880)
- Wu-style (吳氏) of Wu Ch'uan-yu (1834-1902) and his son Wu Chien-ch'uan (1870-1942)
- Sun-style (孫氏) of Sun Lu-t'ang (1861-1932)
(Information taken from Wikipedia)
Benefits
The study of Tai Chi primarily helps the practitioner in 3 main ways:
- Health
- Meditation
- Martial art
Weapons
Depending on the instructor, weapons are sometimes used in training, including:
- Sai
- Tai Chi Sword
Author: The Bear Martial Arts Team
