Origins of Tai Chi

Tai Chi Ch’uan (abbreviates simply as Tai Chi) is the most exalted of the Chinese martial arts, with dynamics powerful enough to both defeat physical assailants and beat back the degenerative diseases of aging. Translated, the name means Ultimate Cosmic Fist and indeed the practice can transform our life and spirit, increase strength and flexibility, boost our energy, improve our awareness, sensitivity and balance, diminish pain and stiffness, lower our blood pressure, help us live longer, and give us a healthier way of looking at conflict and challenge. In many ways, it is the ultimate mind/body practice.

Legend has Tai Chi Ch’uan originating with a Daoist sage named Chang San-Feng at the turn of the last millennium. Historically, the authentic original system was created by Chen Wang-ting (1597-1664), a 9th generation member of the Chen family and resident of a small village in the north of China. Chen constructed the system upon a tripod of Daoist thought, traditional Chinese medicine, and proven martial techniques.

Daoists believe there is a guiding force or intelligence to the universe. They call this force Dao, which means The Way. In the Daoist view, pairs of opposing forces (yin and yang) arose from nothingness (wuji) in much the way the Judeo-Christian creation story chronicles God’s manufacture of heaven and earth from nothingness. Examples of yin and yang include male and female, light and dark, weak and strong. Every Tai Chi Ch’uan movement directly embodies this Daoist worldview. In fact, there may be no system of movement anywhere that more closely obeys metaphysical rules.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) differs from Western medicine in significant ways. Broadly put TCM costs less and has fewer side effects than its Western counterpart, and may be less effective for acute health crises and more effective for chronic conditions. TCM sees the body in terms of systems rather than organs. In the TCM model the body is crisscrossed by meridians, channels through which a life force called qi flows like water through a garden hose. Practicing Tai Chi increases this energy, opens the hoses, and aligns them for maximum flow.

China has a long and illustrious martial tradition. At times China has been little more than a conglomerate of warring states. Conceived by monks, doctors, scholars and warriors, numerous martial systems were derived from the movements of animals and the forces of nature. Early fighting techniques were tested in combat, and were lost if ineffective. The ones used in Tai Chi are many of the very best techniques to survive the ages.

Tai Chi was very nearly lost during China’s so-called “Cultural Revolution” when the armies of Mao Tse Tung gelded, killed, or banished its masters. These days the art is practiced worldwide by people of all ages. In this country the New Age movement has done much to spread the word about this wonderful form of exercise, but rising popularity also means the authentic art is threatened with dilution. Done properly, though, tai chi will bring you flexibility, harmony, strength, peace, insight, and longevity.