Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese martial art derived from Taoism, one of China's oldest belief systems. Chinese martial arts are categorised into external arts (e.g. kung fu) and internal arts, of which Tai Chi is the most widely known. Tai Chi is a fighting style that emphasizes inner power, relaxed and fluid movements and economical use of force over external strength and brute force.
The founder of Tai Chi is widely believed to be a Taoist philosopher named Chang San-feng who lived on Wudang Mountain in the 14th century. This art was first called Tai Chi when it arrived to Beijing in the 19th century. That was also when tai chi was first taught openly. There are various styles of Tai Chi, but most of them emphasize the health benefits of doing the form and disregard practicing martial applications.
The hand form, which is done alone and slowly, is the basis of Tai Chi. Students also practice martial applications that are hidden in the hand form, and Pushing Hands drills, both of which clarify understanding of the form and vice versa. There are also weapon forms and applications that are practiced using a sword, a sabre and a spear
Creation date : 13.03.2006 @ 15:15
Last update : 25.03.2006 @ 01:29
Category : Arts
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