Tai Chi

The martial art’s full name is Tai Chi Chuan, which literally translates as “supreme ultimate fist.” Tai Chi is not like other martial arts, leading many people to ask, “what is Tai Chi?”

More than a martial art, Tai Chi is a way many people stay healthy in a holistic way. There are many different Tai Chi forms, Tai Chi exercises, and Tai Chi movements. The history of Tai Chi can be traced back to five original families that spawned individual styles of the martial art: Chen style, Yang style, Wu Tai Chi, Hao style, and Sun style.

From these original styles, Tai Chi has branched into dozens of different forms and styles. No longer strictly practiced in China, Tai Chi has spread across the entire world, giving rise to a new surge of interest. Indeed, one of the first major nexuses of influence in which Tai Chi participated was in the Taoist and Buddhist monasteries. Taoist Tai Chi, along with Buddhist and Confucian traditions, helped initially spread the art across Asia. From these early beginnings, Tai Chi has branched out across the globe.

Tai Chi utilizes more than the empty hand and foot. Various fencing and sword drills are employed using the Tai Chi sword, which can be a straight sword, curved saber, or a broadsword. Though traditional Tai Chi utilizes a number of forms, free Tai Chi is also an integral part of training. Rather than follow a form, in free Tai Chi, the practitioner literally flows with various movements.

Tai Chi uniforms tend to be loose, colorful, and nonrestrictive. It is important that the uniforms do not restrict movement because one of the main goals of Tai Chi is to flow in a way that is natural. Tight or restricting uniforms can impede this goal.

Like many other ancient traditions of the Orient, Tai Chi has adapted with the advent of modern technology. Now it is possible to learn Tai Chi online. With such an explosion in the number of Tai Chi practitioners around the world, the need for varied and easily accessible trainers has given a modern twist to this ancient art. Furthermore, many people may purchase a Tai Chi DVD in order to examine the forms in detail, without being able to daily go to a training facility. The DVDs have also allowed traditional Tai Chi music to be experience by a far greater number of people than ever could before.

While much has changed with the advent of technology, Tai Chi, true to its nature of flowing with instead of against opposition, has adapted to the rapidly changing technological world. Rather than hide away in the depths of China, Tai Chi has sallied out and become one of the world’s most practiced martial arts.