Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan)
Taijiquan is an over 400 years old Chinese fist fighting technique which also known as shadow boxing". It is one of the noblest and most elegant Chinese motion systems and highly beneficial for the health. Thus it has become highly popular all over the world.
It is more than just a physical exercise, though. It cultivates body and mind at the same time, therefore the Chinese consider regular Taijiquan practice as a way to support positive character formation. Yet contrary to Qigong - which is exclusively practiced for health maintenance - Taiji belongs to the martial arts called
"Wushu" since it was originally developed for self-defence with each movement having a figthing application.
Unfortunately, the Chinese expression "Taijiquan" is very hard to translate.
"Quan" means "fist" but
"Taiji" has a more intricate meaning. It can be translated as "the highest"or "the utmost". Yet, "Taiji" is a very complex, philosophical term stemming from the ancient Chinese "Book of Changes", the so-called "Yijing", where it signifies the origin of life.
Thus "Taiji" is the mother of
Yin and Yang, the two polar powers symbolized in the popular black-and-white circular sign. The principle of Yin and Yang has had a profound effect on the traditional Chinese way of thinking. Virtually every area of Chinese civilization has been influenced by it because according to Chinese philosophy everything results from these two powers which are constantly changing into their opposite.
The movements of Taijiquan are also based on the principle of Yin and Yang since they are constantly changing. All movements, no matter if they are hard or soft, fast or slow, weighted or unweighted, forceful or calm, opening or closing cause each other and result from their corresponding polarities.
The following Taiji forms are taught at Wuyuan:
- Chen Style Taijiquan
- Yang Style Taijiquan
- Sun Style Taijiquan
- 24 Beijing form Taijiquan
- 48 movements Taiji combination form
- International competition form/42 form Taijiquan (= Zonghe Taiji)
- Taiji Jian (Taiji sword routines)
- Taiji Dao (Taiji broadsword routine)
- Taiji Jiang (Taiji spear routine)
- Taiji Pushing Hands (Taiji Tuishou)
- Wu Style forms
- Taiji Gun (Taiji long staff routine)
(Traditional Taiji forms, Taiji short forms as well as modern standardized forms)
