About Tai Chi Chuan |
Following is some general background information on the art of Tai Chi Chuan,
its history and the health and martial benefits.
What is Tai Chi Chuan?
What does the phrase "Tai Chi Chuan" mean?
Why Tai Chi is called an "internal art"?
Tai Chi Chuan is called an internal art for several reasons. The focus of Tai Chi Chuan is on the cultivation, nurturing and re-generation of internal energy or Chi which in fact is the root of the art. Its cultivation is aided through movement and calming the mind.
The progress each student makes internally - mentally and psychologically as well as energetically - is often more important than that made externally. Responding in a relaxed fashion to changes in life, problems that occur and hurdles that arise, is the daily challenge for Tai Chi Chuan practitioners. It is all too easy to become trapped in the external and completely miss the internal.
The Origins of Tai Chi Chuan
One version of the origins of Tai Chi Chuan, has it that the creation of the first set of recognizable postures originated with Chang San Feng, a Taoist monk living in the mountains of China in the Wu-Tang temple about 600 years ago. From his meditations and experiences he understood how in time that which remains soft and pliant endures while that which is hard and rigid withers, as water and wind wear down even the tallest mountains.
This resulted in a series of movements, which follow natural principles and assist in the development of an internal understanding. The foundations of Tai Chi Chuan spring from early Chinese medical principles and theory and Taoist philosophy and are universally applicable. These movements were arranged in a martial framework to encourage participation and for practical benefit.
In more recent times several styles have developed, the most popular of which is the Yang style, named after the Yang family.
Professor Cheng Man Ching one of Grand Master Yang Cheng Fu's most talented students, furthered the work of his teacher by developing a shorter version of the Yang 108 long form, known as Professor Cheng Man Ching's 37 step Form.
Professor Cheng Man Ching outlines in his book "Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on Tai Chi Chuan", under the heading of "The Respected Transmission", the reasons why he developed a shorter version of the 108 form.
The essence of Professor Cheng Man Ching's 37 step form lies in synthesis of Grand Master Yang Chang Fu's teachings, the combination of Taoist Philosophies and his mastery of the "Five Excellences". Professor Cheng is known as a master of five excellences of Poetry, Calligraphy, Painting, Chinese medicines all threaded together by his fifth excellence Tai Chi Chuan. While it is often called a simplified method of the 108 long form, it is quite profound.
In the 1950's and 1960's, the Professor's form became increasingly popular in Taiwan, Malaysia, and the United States of America. In the 1960's and 1970's it's popularity spread to Australia.
Self-Defence Benefits of Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Chuan is an extremely effective martial art, although this is not emphasised initially. The student must first grasp the fundamental principles of Tai Chi Chuan. However, each posture contains many martial applications. Two person work (push hands) is used to develop sensitivity and understanding, with the goal of understanding oneself and one's partner in the same moment. The use of internal energy in martial arts is the result of many years of dedicated practice. However, the use of its principles as a means of self-defence is immediate. The refinement of such, however, continues a lifetime.
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"In Tai Chi Chuan, the ability to cultivate oneself physically and spiritually, but not defend oneself, is civil accomplishment. The ability to defend oneself but not to cultivate oneself is martial accomplishment. The soft Tai Chi Chuan method is the true Tai Chi Chuan method. The ability to teach the art of self-cultivation and self- defence, both cultivation and application, is complete civil and martial Tai Chi Chuan."
- Yang Cheng-Fu 1883-1936
Health Benefits of Tai Chi Chuan
The first noticeable health benefit of Tai Chi Chuan is usually an increase in a feeling of relaxation and well-being. Even in the first lesson, a student can begin to sense his or her own energy.
After a short period of time a student will feel this sensitivity increase and their relaxation and energy circulation will improve. Becoming aware of where tension is held and how to relax and soften (without becoming limp and sloppy) results in a calmer, more relaxed body and mind with an ability to do more at any moment in time. Correct teaching, regular practice and perseverance are the key to progress.