Tai Chi

Tai chi chuan traditional Chinese martial art often practiced for promoting health and fitness. These are the slow paced but controlled movements either done in groups or indvidually. Tai chi chuan is like a soft style martial art giving the internal power. It is quite different from hard martial styles. To answer the question, what is tai chi we should go through the history of tai chi. The term Tai Chi comes from ancient Chinese language.

Tai Chi exercises were developed by a Taoist priest Chang San Feng a martial art master 1600. Most people believe that is Tai Chi as a martial art is around for about 300 years and cannot be credited to one person. Through the addition of many years of hard work by several persons, the modern Tai Chi system hits the scene.

Taoist Tai Chi is a form of Tai Chi system invented by Moy Lin-shin. He modified the Yang style Tai Chi Chuan mixing it with his knowledge of lok hup ba fa and some other internal fitness techniques. Taoist Tai Chi was specially developed due to its benifits for physical health and mental health.

Wu Tai Chi is one of the original techniques using a sequence of slow, deliberate tai chi movements resulting in more strength, steadiness, better posture and relaxed mind. It can be practiced at any age and with any physical ability. It can be taught individually as well as in a group. Wu Tai Chi an excellent technique for extending, increasing strength and adding energy. It is also beneficial for those who want to recover from sports injuries.

A prominent success in this system is the use of tai chi sword. Experts say you should not use sword before at least ten years of Tai Chi training. From health point of view the sword sequences are yet another method of exercise due to construction and techniques of the blade as blocking requires soft, peaceful power. The defensive methods resemble bare hand drills as both require the ability of sticking to the opponent and avoiding the enemy's attack. The Tai Chi martial artist must be talented in the techniques of defusing the enemy’s power before starting tai chi sword training.

There are different postures and moves in different tai chi forms. Some of the standards tai chi forms are mentioned below.

1. The 24 Posture Form.
2. The 42 Posture Competition Form.
3. The (Combined) 48 Posture Form.
4. The 88 Posture Form.
5. Cheng Man Ching's 37 Posture Form.
6. Yang Style Taijiquan Competition Routine.
7. Chen Style Taijiquan Competition Routine.
8. Wu Style Taijiquan Competition Routine.
9. Sun Style Taijiquan Competition Routine.
10. Chen's First Lu
11. Chen's Second Lu, Paochui.
12. Wu's/Hao's Taijiquan.
13. Taiji Fighting Set

There are some specifically designed Tai Chi Uniforms. Different varieties are available in the market. There are several tai chi DVDs are available in the market for learning the system. In a certain tai chi DVD there are different forms of tai chi are given. Along with DVDs there is also relaxing tai chi music is available. The basic idea in tai chi music is deliberation in motion, silk rolling, rhythmic flow and the movement of mild breeze. These four sections of attractive music are also perfect for relaxation.

Along with these videos the tai chi movements can also be learnt through tai chi online, Tai chi online teaches lessons written with full color snaps and with full motion video clips. There are free tai chi exercises are also available over the internet which enable the new comers to get familiarized with the system without spending a lot of money.