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Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) 太極拳 Tàijíquán
ChinaEast AsiaInternal / HealthChinese InternalShaolin legend
The 'Supreme Ultimate Fist'. A slow, continuous, relaxed internal art built on yin–yang theory, rooted stance, whole-body connection and the Thirteen Postures. Practised worldwide for health, balance, meditation and as a complete martial system including push hands, weapons and fajin (issuing power). Five major family styles exist: Chen, Yang, Wu (Hao), Wu, and Sun, plus Zhaobao, Wudang and many modern standardized forms.
Key characteristics
- Eight energies (Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao) plus Five Steps = Thirteen Postures
- Song – deep relaxation without collapse
- Silk-reeling and spiral energy
- Push hands (tuishou) partner training
- Strong evidence base for balance and fall prevention in older adults
Forms & curriculum
- Chen Laojia Yilu 74
- Chen Practical Method 81
- Yang 103 Traditional
- Yang 24 Simplified
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37
- Wu 108
- Sun 73
- Combined 42
- Tai Chi sword, saber, spear, fan
What training looks like
Training usually begins with standing posture (zhan zhuang), breathing and slow solo forms. Partner drills such as push hands come later, followed by applications and weapons. Progress shows up as relaxation, root and coordination rather than belts.
Questions to ask a school
- Is the teacher's lineage clear, and are they open about it?
- Can you watch or try a class first?
- Are seated or adapted options offered?
- How is class time split between forms, standing and partner work?
Quick facts
| Origin | China |
|---|---|
| Era / founder | Mid-1600s (Chen Village) – documented from 1800s |
| Family | Chinese Internal |
| Type | Internal / Health |
Related philosophy
- Yin and Yang 陰陽 – Complementary opposites – soft/hard, empty/full, open/close – whose constant interchange is the basis of tai chi movement and TCM diagnosis.
- Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) 太極 – The state where yin and yang emerge from stillness. Zhou Dunyi's Taiji Diagram (1000s) gave tai chi chuan its name.
- Wuji (Limitless) 無極 – Undifferentiated stillness before yin–yang; the standing posture that begins and ends every form.
- Dao (The Way) 道 – The natural order described in the Daodejing; martial practice seeks to move in harmony with it.
- Wu Wei (Effortless Action) 無為 – Acting without forcing – using minimum effort, yielding and timing instead of brute strength.
- Ziran (Naturalness) 自然 – Spontaneity and naturalness; the movement should look and feel unforced.
- Qi 氣 – Vital energy or breath that flows through meridians; cultivated by qigong and guided by intention (yi).
- Dantian 丹田 – 'Elixir field' – the lower dantian below the navel is the body's centre of gravity and energy reservoir.
- Bagua – Eight Trigrams 八卦 – Eight trigrams of the Yijing; mapped to the eight directions of baguazhang and the eight energies of tai chi.
- Yi (Intent) 意 – Mind-intent leads qi and qi moves the body: 'use yi, not li (force)'.
- Song (Relaxed Sinking) 鬆 – Releasing unnecessary tension while staying structured – the first requirement of tai chi.
- Jin (Trained Power) 勁 – Refined, whole-body power distinct from raw strength (li).
- Fajin (Issuing Power) 發勁 – Explosive release of whole-body power, prominent in Chen tai chi, Bajiquan and Xingyi.
- Chan Si Jin (Silk Reeling) 纏絲勁 – Spiralling energy like drawing silk from a cocoon – the hallmark of Chen style.
- Ting Jin (Listening Energy) 聽勁 – Sensing an opponent's intention through touch; developed in push hands.
- Hua Jin (Neutralizing) 化勁 – Yielding and redirecting incoming force – 'four ounces deflect a thousand pounds'.
- Eight Energies & Five Steps (13 Postures) 十三勢 – Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao + advance, retreat, look left, gaze right, central equilibrium.
- Neijia vs Waijia 內家 / 外家 – Internal vs external families – a classification popularized c.1900 (Wudang vs Shaolin), more symbolic than strict.
- Wude (Martial Virtue) 武德 – Code of the martial artist: humility, respect, righteousness, trust, loyalty; courage, patience, endurance, will.
- Shifu & Lineage 師父 / 傳承 – Teacher–student relationship modeled on family; disciples (tudi) receive full transmission.
- Zhang Sanfeng 張三丰 – Legendary Daoist immortal of Wudang said to have created tai chi after watching a crane fight a snake.
- Tai Chi Classics 太極拳經 – Writings attributed to Zhang Sanfeng, Wang Zongyue, Wu Yuxiang and Li Yiyu – the theory foundation of all tai chi.
- Daodejing 道德經 – Laozi's classic (c.400 BCE) on the Way, softness overcoming hardness, and non-action.
- Tui Shou (Push Hands) 推手 – Partner sensitivity drills that test the principles of the form.
- Fall Prevention & Balance Science — – Randomized trials show tai chi reduces falls in older adults – the CDC STEADI program recommends it.
- Neuroplasticity & Mindful Movement — – Learning new movement patterns with attention supports brain health, mood and proprioception.
Where to learn
- Zhong Yunlong – Wudang Mountains, Hubei, China
- Yuan Xiugang – Wudang Mountains, Hubei, China
- USA Shaolin Kung Fu Academy – Shifu Heng Chao – 969 Federal Blvd, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Purple Cloud Palace (Zixiao Gong), Wudang – Wudang Mountains, Hubei, China
- Five Immortals Temple (Wuxian Guan), Wudang – Wudang Mountains, Hubei, China
- White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Guan) – Beijing, China
- Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat – Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand
- Kung Fu Chao (online) – Shifu Heng Chao – Online (Denver, Colorado), United States
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Sifu Amin Wu · 6:07 · YouTube ↗
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