Tai chi

Taichi or Taichi Chuan (in Chinese, 太極拳; in pinyin, Tàijí quán ; literally "supreme ultimate fist" or sublime "last fist" ) is a martial art developed in China, currently practiced by several million people in the whole world, so it is counted among the most practiced martial arts.

It is usually referred to as:

• tàijíquán
• t'ai-chi-ch'üan in romanization Wade-Giles
• tai-chi-chan
• tʰaitɕitɕʰyɛn en IPA
• 太极拳 in simplified Chinese characters
• 太極拳 in traditional Chinese characters

In the People's Republic of China, Taichi Chuan is a very popular activity. In the city parks you can see thousands of people exercising their slow and fluid movements in the mornings.

Originally, Taichi Chuan is an internal martial art (Chinese:內家拳; pinyin: nèijiāquán ) for hand-to-hand fighting, whether armed or unarmed. In more recent times it is increasingly seen as a physical-spiritual practice to improve both physical and mental quality of life. On the one hand it would be very beneficial for health, while on the other it constitutes a meditation technique (meditation in movement ).

On December 17, 2020, UNESCO included the practice of Taichi Chuan, officially, in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Practice

Today several million people around the world practice taichi chuan. Each of them puts a different accent on the different aspects of this art. Most practice it primarily for health reasons, as a relaxation exercise or for meditation purposes. Especially in China and particularly among the youngest, taichi chuan has spread as a competitive sport. Only a small part of the adepts practice it mainly as a martial art for self-defense purposes or as a lifestyle.

There are no recognized international and national confederations, as there are with many other sports and/or martial arts: there are numerous different styles and variants, and there is no international organization that encompasses teachers, instructors, and practitioners of all styles. There are, however, some national organizations with representation of various styles in some countries, as well as international organizations of certain styles, so there is also no single international system for the preparation and evaluation of instructors.

Unlike other combat sports, there is no standardized grading system, and not all schools establish a system of belts, such as the colored ones in karate or judo. There is also no standardized clothing for practitioners, although it is usual to wear thin, flat-soled shoes, as well as light and comfortable clothing.

Bases

In the different styles and schools, different basic exercises are practiced, such as individual movements, posture and breathing exercises, as well as meditation. These serve to learn the principles of taichi chuan, to loosen the joints, relax the entire body and gradually modify the posture in order to avoid inconvenient overloading of the joints. Exercises from the Chi Kung systems are often used for this.

Shapes

The essence of the exercise is represented by one or more so-called forms (Chinese:套路; pinyin, taolu ), consisting of clearly determined sequences of movements that follow each other so as to form a flowing sequence. The basic forms are individual practices in which each practitioner performs the movements for himself. The shapes here often represent the fight against an imaginary opponent, hence the Chinese name "shadow boxing", which has fallen into disuse and is rarely used. The form is exercised predominantly in a group and synchronous manner. Also in the classes the teacher and the students perform the form simultaneously.

A form is made up of several “frames”, “steps” or “figures” (the individual techniques or movements) whose sequence is predefined. These techniques have different names that emphasize the martial application of the movement (for example "right heel kick" in Chinese,右蹬脚), that describe the character of the movement (for example "simple whip" (in Chinese,单鞭; pinyin, dān biān )) or that have a poetic reading (for example "The white crane spreads its wings" (Chinese:百鹤亮翅) or "Part the mane of the wild horse" (Chinese:野马分鬃)). Since the different Chinese script signs have more additional meanings, the names often have a deeper meaning for Chinese script connoisseurs than their translation can express.

Many forms are named according to the number of postures or movements, such as the "24-Movement Form" ("Beijing Form") or the "37-Movement Form" ("Zheng Manqing Abbreviated Form" (Chinese:鄭曼青; Wade-Giles, Cheng Man-ch'ing, 1899–1974)). The most extensive forms have more than a hundred techniques (for example the "Yang Style Long Form" according to Yang Chengfu, with its 108 positions). The execution of a form can take from a few minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the number of movements of the form and the speed of its execution. Although the forms of taichi chuan are generally performed in a slow and calm manner, there are great differences depending on the style, form and experience of the practitioner.

Exercises and forms between two people

Apart from the training in individual forms, exercises or complete forms are carried out between two people, which can be considered forms prior to the fight itself. In these practices, the student normally faces the application of taichi chuan in fighting for the first time. To be able to practice certain applications, such as lever techniques, without great risk of injury, a certain ease and good body sense are required. That is why these exercises are normally reserved for advanced students.

The best known exercise between two people is probably the Tuishou (in Chinese,推手; pinyin, tuī shǒu, in English Pushing hands ), in which both practitioners face each other touching their arms or hands. In a continuous cycle, one of them exerts pressure on the arms of the other, who tries to give in to that pressure and neutralize it, and then goes on to exert pressure himself. In a freer form of Tuishou, the objective is to force the opponent to abandon his position, while maintaining his own. In this form, even competitions are held.

Depending on the style of taichi chuan, there are other two person exercises (eg Dalü ), which exercise from the simple basics to the freer sequences of taichi chuan in application, self-defense and competition.

The forms between two people are more or less prolonged sequences, in which the participants develop an imaginary combat, with precise choreography. In these forms, the application of taichi chuan as a martial art is evidenced.

Forms with weapons

The most common forms are without weapons, however there are also numerous armed forms or with the use of artifacts. Armed forms are traditionally taught only to advanced students. the weapons of taichi chuan are :

• the Chinese one-handed, straight, double-edged sword with an oval blade (Jian).
• the long stick to hit the enemy from an acceptable angle (Gun).
• the Chinese saber (Dao).
• the fan (which was originally metallic and sharp, which is why it also falls within the group of weapons).
• la lanza (Qian).
• la alabarda (Guan Dao)

Combat training and competitions

Combat training, in which dueling application is exercised, is rarely taught. Tai chi chuan competitions almost always stick to form execution, with judges scoring the executions. Sometimes competitions are also held in which practitioners can face each other in Tuishou, although a ranking is not usually established in these activities. With the exception of very few cases, no duels are held.

Beginning

The fundamental principle of taichi chuan is smoothness: the practitioner must move in a natural, relaxed, loose and fluid manner. When exercising taichi chuan there are no strength, speed or hardening exercises, such as the usual breaking tests ( tameshiwari ) in various combat sports. On the contrary, it is required that the movements be carried out with a minimum of force. Unlike many other martial arts, taichi chuan is done slowly, in order to apply the techniques as correctly as possible. Some styles or forms of taichi chuan are practiced more quickly (especially forms with weapons), or they include certain isolated movements that are very fast and explosive.

In the fight, the taichi chuan fighter tries to "stick" to the opponent, that is, always maintain contact with him. Instead of reacting to certain attacks of the opponent with certain counter techniques, the body must react spontaneously and naturally, not by resisting the attacks, but by using the opponent's own strength and directing it against him.

Body relaxation, breathing and concentration

When exercising, the body should be "relaxed." This does not mean that all the muscles of the body must be "numb" (as happens for example during REM sleep), but only those muscles that are really needed for a certain movement or posture are tensed, while the rest of the muscles they show a relaxed muscle tone. That is, it is a relaxation that consists of the expression of the so-called Yin force for goal-oriented movements, which are coordinated together in the body and are not subject to any type of inhibitory tensions.

Breathing should be deep, relaxed, and flow naturally. Through which abdominal breathing is sought, the respiratory rate is noticeably lower than in the chest breathing usually used. While beginners in most cases must first learn to let their breath flow freely or adapt it to the movements, the breathing rate of advanced practitioners naturally adjusts to the movement. However, the different styles of taichi chuan handle the aspect of breathing differently, so it is not possible to make general statements about it.

The movements of taichi chuan must be conscious and attentive. In this, however, exclusive concentration on the processes in the practitioner's body is not encouraged, but should be evenly distributed between the perception of one's own movements and those of the environment.

The ten fundamental rules

The following "ten fundamental principles" of Yang Cheng Fu summarize the ideal bodily and spiritual posture of a practitioner. In the various styles there is also a variety of additional principles.

1. Raise your head in a relaxed way.
2. Keep your chest back and straighten your back.
3. Release the lumbar region, the waist.
4. Separate the empty and the full (distribute the weight correctly).
5. Let your shoulders and elbows hang.
6. Apply Yi (Chinese:意; pinyin: yì ) and not physical force (Chinese:力; pinyin: lì ).
7. The coordination of what is above with what is below.
8. The harmony between inside and outside.
9. The uninterrupted flow (let the movement flow).
10. Stay still in motion.

Qi ( ch'i o chi )

Due to its close relationship with philosophical Taoism, taichi chuan, like all internal martial arts, assigns great significance to the concept of chi (in traditional Chinese,氣; pinyin, qì ; Wade-Giles, ch'i ).). In the movements, the chi should be allowed to flow, relaxing the muscles and joints as much as possible and performing them in a loose and fluid manner. Through the exercises, the chi in the body must be "increased" and the practitioner must become able to perceive and ultimately control the chi power. Many practitioners describe the sensation that arises from doing so as a kind of energy flow, which can be circulated in the body and sent to certain parts of it. This is argued that on the one hand it serves health and body control, and on the other it would be applicable in combat.

In the West, there is sometimes discussion about the nature of chi, whether it is a kind of subtle matter, or whether it is a useful concept that helps develop the type of movements and biomechanical efficiency required for taichi chuan. For the application of the concept in taichi chuan, the opinion or belief of the practitioner in this regard is irrelevant.

Traditional Chinese medicine and health benefits

In traditional Chinese medicine, movement exercises play a central role, aiming to increase chi and make the meridians permeable for it. These include the various Chi Kung systems, but also Tai Chi Chuan and other internal martial arts. The exercises are mainly used preventively, for the general maintenance of the spiritual and physical health of the human being, rather than as a treatment for certain diseases or ailments. However, the positive effects of exercise on health are conceived in an essentially broader way than, for example, the effects of sports activity in Western medicine.

Clinical research carried out within the framework of Western medicine has shown that the regular practice of taichi chuan has several positive effects on various aspects of physical and mental health, such as the circulatory system, the immune system, the perception of pain, balance and in general on body control, mobility and strength. Benefits of this practice have even been observed in the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular accidents.

Transcription, meaning and translation

In the Pinyin transcription, now in widespread use, the name of this martial art is transliterated as Taijiquan. Other common transcriptions such as T'ai chi ch'uan or T'ai chi ch'üan are based on the older and now obsolete Wade-Giles system, which is nevertheless still used in the context of martial arts.

Taiji (in traditional Chinese,太極; pinyin, Tàijí ) is in Taoism a synonym of the supreme generating principle, difficult to translate, since the analogous concept does not exist in Western languages. It is usually represented by the symbol reproduced here, which attempts to express the harmonic interplay of the dual yin and yang forces. This symbol is frequently used in relation to taichi chuan, among other things in advertising. In the movements of taichi chuan, this dualism of yin and yang plays an important role, which is reflected, for example, in the ten basic rules reproduced above ("Keep empty and full separate", "Coordination of up and down"). down» and «The harmony between interior and exterior»). Quan(in Chinese,拳; pinyin, Quán ) means 'fist'; in the context of combat techniques it is used when fighting bare-handed, that is, without weapons. A translation of the meaning of taichi chuan would therefore be 'to fight according to the highest principle'.

The name taichi chuan for the martial art probably originated between 1853 and 1880 among adherents of the Wu/Hao style and has been used in all styles since the early 20th century. Previously there had been several other names for this martial art.

In the West, taichi chuan is often called Taichi for short. Strictly speaking, this denomination is incorrect, since Taichi (Taiji) has its own meaning in Chinese, totally different (see above). Since in some countries the martial art aspect of taichi chuan, represented by the word quán (Chinese:拳), sometimes takes a back seat altogether, the abbreviated name is partly used consciously.

Occasionally the Thai chi script appears, which does not correspond to any usual transcription and is probably nothing more than a spelling error, although the transliteration into Spanish seems to be correct as "taichi", the name by which it is popularly known. Tai chi chuan has nothing to do with muay thai.

Legends and history

The data referring to the history of the development of taichi chuan are partly very contradictory. Most of those who practice taichi chuan today refer to the existence of ancestors or roots from the fifteenth century or earlier. Otherwise, the background and roots would have been passed down only within a narrow circle of people, a monastery or a family. Correspondingly, they often escape official historiography.

Zhang Sanfeng, the Wudang Mountains and the relationship with Taoism

In Chinese martial arts, tai chi chuan is counted among the internal martial arts (chin. Neijia ), relating to the principles of Taoism. As the legendary founder of internal martial arts, and thus also of taichi chuan, Taoist monk and immortal Zhang Sanfeng, who is said to have lived between the 10th and 14th centuries, is usually considered. However, its historical existence has not been proven. According to legend, he discovered the principles of internal martial arts in the Wudang Mountains after observing the fight between a snake and a whooping crane or heron. Specifically, he saw how the snake, with agility and skill to give in to the heron's attacks, managed to escape unharmed. For this reason, several of the taichi chuan movements resemble those of these two animals.

Historical science knows of no documents from the time when the legend of Zhang Sanfeng was first recorded in writing, suggesting a relationship between Zhang Sanfeng and martial arts or mentioning him as the inventor of a particular martial art.. Some of the texts of the so-called "classics" of taichi chuan bear names of authors that suggest the existence of such a relationship. However, it has not been established with certainty when these texts were written and if perhaps the names of the supposed authors were not added later. This could have been done, on the one hand, to give the texts greater weight, and on the other hand to comply with the Confucian virtue of modesty, or simply just to underline the relationship with the Wudang Mountains.Very occasionally there are adepts of taichi chuan who cite even older roots, claimed to date back to the Liang dynasty (502–557).

Although this is a historically contested statement, Taoist monks and representatives of contemporary martial arts in the Wudang Mountains maintain that internal martial arts (and with them also taichi chuan) have been preserved, developed and made a tradition since the times of Zhang Sanfeng in the Wudang Mountains Taoist monasteries. It is added that until recently they would have rarely been passed on to strangers. Thus, in the 17th century, the traveling monk of the Wudang, Wang Zongyue (in Chinese:王宗岳), would have taught the martial art of him in the village of Chenjiagou after they had requested it, thus producing the foundation of the Chen style ( see below).

The style of taichi chuan that is practiced in the Wudang Mountains as part of the internal martial arts, and in the meantime is taught to a wider audience, differs markedly from the other styles and is sometimes called the Wudang style of taichi chuan, which it should not be confused with Wudang Taichi Chuan, developed in the mid-20th century by Cheng Tin-hung in Hong Kong.

Origin of the 5 family styles

There is reliable data on the history of taichi chuan up to about the middle of the 16th century. At that time, General Qi Jiguang (Traditional Chinese:戚繼光; pinyin: Qī Jìguāng, 1528−1588) developed a new style of martial arts based on the 32 styles known to him. While it is true that taichi chuan is not mentioned in it, the book contains numerous techniques that are still part of the Chen style of taichi chuan today.

In the middle of the 17th century in the village of Chenjiagou (in Chinese:陳家溝) a new style of boxing appeared. According to Chen family tradition, this style was developed by General Chen Wangting (Chinese:陈王庭, 1600−1680) based on his knowledge of the martial arts of the time. There is no certain data to determine the role played by the Wudang monk Wang Zongyue (Chinese:王宗岳) in the creation of taichi chuan, or whether this monk even existed.

The truth is that since that time the style was first developed and passed on as a family secret of the Chen family. In the first half of the 19th century, the Chen family's taichi chuan was first passed on to an outsider. Chen Changxing (Chinese:陳長興; pinyin: Chén Chángxīng, 1771-1853) accepted Yang Luchan (Traditional Chinese:楊露禪; Wade-Giles, Yang Lu-ch'an, 1799-1872) as a student in the inner circle of the family. Yang Luchan further developed what he learned, thus becoming the founder of the Yang Style. Somewhat later Chen Qingping (Chinese:陳清苹; Wade-Giles, Ch'en Ch'ing-p'ing, 1795-1868) also outside the family, taught Wu Yuxiang (Chinese:武禹襄, 1812-1880), founder of the Wu/Hao Style.

Thus, in the second half of the 19th century, the foundations were laid for the so-called five family styles, each of which was developed, transmitted, and preserved within a given family. The master made the complete transmission of his style only to his children, so that the maximum representative of a style of taichi chuan was at the same time the head of the family. An intense exchange took place between the different families, particularly at the time of the foundation. The five family styles are :

• Chen style (Chinese:陳氏) in the "small frame" (Chinese:小架; pinyin, Xiaojia ) or "large frame" (Dajia) (mid-17th century). Since around 1976 within the "great structure" a further distinction is made between the "old structure" (Chinese: 大老架; pinyin: Dalǎojia ) and the "new structure" (Chinese:新架; pinyin: xinjia ).​
• Yang Style (Chinese:楊氏; pinyin: yángshì ) according to Yang Luchan; in the «large structure» according to Yang Chengfu (in traditional Chinese,楊澄甫; pinyin, Yáng Chéngfǔ ; Wade-Giles, Yang Ch'eng-fu, 1883–1936) or in the «small structure» according to Yang Banhou (in traditional Chinese,楊班侯; pinyin, Yáng Bānhóu ; Wade-Giles, Yang Pan-hou ) 1837–1892). Currently, this style is spread internationally in its traditional form by the Yang Style International Taichichuan Association (YFTCCA), created in 1998 by Masters Yang Zhenduo and Yang Jun in the United States.
• Wu/Hao style (Chinese:武(/郝)氏; pinyin: wǔ(/hǎo)shì ) after Wu Yuxiang (Chinese:武禹襄; Wade-Giles, Wu Yu-hsiang, 1812–1880).
• Wu style (Chinese:吳氏; pinyin: wúshì ) according to Wu Quanyou (Traditional Chinese:吳全佑; pinyin: Wú Quányòu ; Wade-Giles, Wu Ch'uan-yu, 1834–1902) and his son Wu Jianquan (in Traditional Chinese,吳鑑泉; pinyin, Wú Jiànquán ; Wade-Giles, Wu Chien-ch'üan, 1870–1942).
• Sun Style (Chinese:孫氏) after Sun Lutang (Chinese:孫祿堂; pinyin, Sūn Lùtáng ; Wade-Giles, Sun Lu-t'ang, 1861–1932).

It should be noted that the "Wu" of "Wu Yuxiang" is a different sign than that of "Wu Jianquan" – so they are different families. As taichi chuan is now no longer just passed down within the family, it is no longer possible to determine a master's style based on his last name today.

Tai Chi Chuan in the People's Republic of China

In the People's Republic of China, the different Chinese martial arts were summarized in 1956 by the official authorities under the concept of modern Wushu, including taichi chuan. The Beijing Form, a 24-frame form based on the Yang style, was introduced and elevated to the status of "official" taichi chuan, meaning it could be used in competitions. Traditional forms were suppressed and could only continue to spread in private circles.

On the basis of the Beijing Form, a form with 48 squares was developed in 1976, in which elements of other styles were incorporated. In 1989 the form with 42 squares emerged as a new form for competitions. The latter contains clearly recognizable elements of the different styles. In that same year, a form for competitions consisting of 40 squares was presented. Since 1999 there has also been a form made up of 16 and another of 10 squares in the Yang style.

Since China's increasing openness, traditional forms can once again be taught publicly.

In 1990, the International Wushu Federation (IWUF, in Chinese,国际武术联合会) was founded in China, which houses the different Wushu groups worldwide under its roof and annually organizes the World Wushu Championship, in the which the standardized forms of taichi chuan and sword taiji jian compete. Since 2006, it has also organized a World Championship of Traditional Wushu, in which the traditional forms of Taichi chuan can be presented.

Broadcast outside of China

Under the communist takeover of China in the mid-20th century and the suppression of traditional arts that followed, particularly in the Cultural Revolution, many taichi chuan masters fled China and began to spread their art. martial outside the country.

As a consequence of the above, in the 1960s taichi chuan also became known in the West. Zheng Manqing (Chinese:鄭曼青; Wade-Giles, Cheng Man-ch'ing, 1899–1974), who had been, from 1928 to 1935, a student of Master Yang Chengfu and developed an abbreviated form of the Style, was noted for this. Yang in 37 frames. In 1949 he fled to Taiwan and settled in New York in 1964, where he began teaching his form. It is probably due to the simplicity of this abbreviated form and the openness of Zheng Manqing that his form spread throughout the West, although both he and his form are controversial and his form is not recognized by other representatives of the Western world. Yang style.

Since taichi chuan has become more and more popular and continues to spread, a great diversity of styles has been observed. Countless further developments, variants and mixtures have been developed, which are taught and practiced under the name of "Taichi Chuan".

Two tendencies prevail in this regard:

• Back to the roots: Some styles refer to hopefully ancient, "authentic" roots. These styles are often named after one of the familiar styles or even older styles.
• Best of all: Other styles are new developments, trying to combine the "best" features of the other styles. Elements of other martial arts, dance or meditation techniques are often adopted in this context. An example of this trend is Tang Lang Taijiquan.

Most of the styles of taichi chuan practiced in Western Europe are variants of the official forms or derivatives of one of the familiar Chen, Yang, or Wu styles. Tai chi chuan of the Wudang tradition has also been popularized for some time.