Tai Chi Chuan Remains One of the World's Healthiest Martial Art Forms

The centuries-old practice of tai chi, or tai chichuan teacher at the Capital Institute of Physical
chuan, remains a daily ritual for many Chinese, andEducation. "When you're going through
for good reason. The exercise is slow, carefulpsychological problems, your body will show signs
movements offer a wealth of health benefits,of this stress. Practicing tai chi will ease the
from calming busy minds to relieving the body ofinternal tension and troubles."
everyday stress.While the exact origins of tai chi chuan are
Originally used for self-defense and combat, tai chiunclear, its start is often attributed to Zhang
chuan is now practiced primarily for exercise andSanfeng, a Taoist monk at the Wu Tang
relaxation. It is often associated with the circular,monastery who, according to Ming Dynasty
black-and-white yin/yang symbol, representing therecords, lived sometime in the period 1391-1459.
Taoist philosophy of harmony between yin (theAccording to legend, Zhang once saw a fight
feminine and receptive) and yang (the masculinebetween a snake and a crane and was impressed
and active). Through its graceful, structuredby the way the snake was able to elude its
movements, tai chi chuan helps practitionerslarger, more powerful opponent. Utilizing his
achieve a balance of yin and yang in their bodies,previous training in martial arts and Taoist
thereby improving the flow of qi, or vital energy -breathing exercises, he went on to create a
considered by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)martial art form that echoed the snake's balance,
as essential to good health.flexibility and speed.
The basic practice of tai chi chuan consists in theFrom these simple beginnings more than five
performance of a series of movements, whichcenturies ago, tai chi chuan has developed into a
together make up a "form," each of which has acomplex set of styles, ranging from the vigorous
name such as bao hu gui shan, or "carry the tigerto the gentle. Two of the most well known today
to the mountain." Breathing and posture play keyare the Chen and Yang styles; Chen incorporates
roles - the aim is to breathe slowly and deeplymore explosive, rigorous forms, while Yang - the
through the nose while keeping the back and headstyle commonly practiced today - is characterized
upright. This helps induce the body into a tranquil,by soft, unforced movements.
meditative state, an antidote for such afflictionsThe most important thing is finding a quiet time
as stress, fatigue and overwork.and place to practice. The best time to practice
"Balance within the body has been emphasized inthe softer forms of tai chi is between four and
tai chi practice all along," says Ru Kai, a tai chisix in the morning.