"Tai Chi is nourishment for the body.
Humans are moving beings and movement is essential to our health and well-being.
Tai Chi is the perfect movement, because it is an exercise that follows the principles of nature and uses the laws of physiology".
Extract from the Red Book of Grand Master Tung Ying Jié
Origin
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancestral Chinese Martial Art dating back to th 13th Century. Legend claims that it was created by Zang Sanfeng, a Taoist monk living on the Wudang mountain. One day, this monk was looking out of the window and saw a bird and a snake doing battle...
Master Tung Ying Jié (1897-1961) wrote this on the subject:
« The magpie zeroed in on the snake and attacked fiercely with wings, claws and beak. The snake dodged and maneuvered gracefully away... Though the magpie tried over and over again, it couldn't hit its target. Frustrated it returned to the treetops. The snake remained calm but defensive... The encounter showed Master Chang the importance of calmness and softness. He used the circular movements of the snake by following the principle of Yin and Yang. He used the indefinite changes of Tai Chi and created Tai Chi Chuan ».
The meaning of Tai Chi Chuan
The Chinese thought process is based on masculin/feminine duality, Yin/Yang derived from the observation of nature (Yin/Yang, see the article « Chinese Terminology). Alternation from Yin to Yang is the govenning principle of the universe which is called «Taiji », Tai Chi. It is the circular image, symbol of Yin and Yang which balances itself in the never-ending movement of transformation.In everything there is a varying proportion of Yin and Yang and even in the heart of Yin there is some Yang and inversely. One cannot exist without the other. Yin and Yang are complementary.
Tai Chi is the principle which controls the universe. Chuan, is the hand, the fist.
Tai Chi Chuan can, therefore, be translated as the principle of the universe held in the palm of the hand.
The Chinese call it celestial boxing, or shadow-bowing.
Tai Chi Chuan is a body discipline by which we learn, or relearn, to move freely and naturally. Through regular, assiduous, patient, persevering, thougtful, discerning, knowing and doubting practice you can discover the endless subtleties of this art, where body and soul are but one.
Tai Chi Chuan develops suppleness, stability, memory, composure, relaxation, flexibility of joints, coordination, concentration and vitality.
Grand Grandmaster Tung Hu Ling performs Yang Form
Lien to the article "Answering Questions about Taiji Quan"
By Chen Weiming 1929
This video shows diffrerent traditionnal styles of Tai Chi Chuan montre différents styles traditionnels de Taichi Chuan
Wudang Shan, Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun, with Maîtres Chen Zhagui, li Bingqi, Sun Jianyun, Yang Yuting, Wang Yougquan, Li Yaochen?