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 - click on BOOKS", 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.
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 - click on BOOKS", 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.
Yang Chang Fu Cheng Man Ching
"Tai Chi Chuan" or “Tàijíquán”?
There are different ways you can spell tai chi chuan depending on the reference you are using. For many years the Wade – Giles translation has been recognised by Westerners as tai chi chuan. More recently people have been adopting the Pinyin translation to Latin alphabet as tàijíquán.
In 1982 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) formally recognised Pinyin, formally Hanyu Pinyin as the official phonetic system for transcribing the Mandarin pronunciations of Chinese characters into the Latin alphabet. Taiwan recognised Pinyin officially in 2009. We can remember seeing changes in Australia in various tai chi associations to pinyin around the 2001.
Reasons for pinyin gaining popularity has been from westerners learning the mandarin language. From personal experience the pinyin shows tonal marks above certain vows which help you to correctly pronounce the name in mandarin.
For the uninitiated it stops confusion with “chi” in tai chi chuan and “jí (2nd tone)” in tàijíquán. In the Wade – Giles translations chi 極 and chi 氣 look the same but can have two entirely different meanings if not known in the right context or if the Chinese characters are not present. In comparison chi the energy is spelt qì 氣 (4th tone) in pinyin.
On this website we've decided to keep using the Wade – Giles translation for our major headings as this is still most commonly used. For sub headings and text we'll interchange so you'll know what "qi" or "ji" we are describing.
e.g. Tai Chi Chuan and Li Chi Hsiang in Wage - Giles instead of Tai Ji Quan and Li Qi Xiang in pinyin.
When studying Mandarin (Chinese dialect language) you'll find the pin yin an easier system to use when learning to pronounciate.
In 1982 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) formally recognised Pinyin, formally Hanyu Pinyin as the official phonetic system for transcribing the Mandarin pronunciations of Chinese characters into the Latin alphabet. Taiwan recognised Pinyin officially in 2009. We can remember seeing changes in Australia in various tai chi associations to pinyin around the 2001.
Reasons for pinyin gaining popularity has been from westerners learning the mandarin language. From personal experience the pinyin shows tonal marks above certain vows which help you to correctly pronounce the name in mandarin.
For the uninitiated it stops confusion with “chi” in tai chi chuan and “jí (2nd tone)” in tàijíquán. In the Wade – Giles translations chi 極 and chi 氣 look the same but can have two entirely different meanings if not known in the right context or if the Chinese characters are not present. In comparison chi the energy is spelt qì 氣 (4th tone) in pinyin.
On this website we've decided to keep using the Wade – Giles translation for our major headings as this is still most commonly used. For sub headings and text we'll interchange so you'll know what "qi" or "ji" we are describing.
e.g. Tai Chi Chuan and Li Chi Hsiang in Wage - Giles instead of Tai Ji Quan and Li Qi Xiang in pinyin.
When studying Mandarin (Chinese dialect language) you'll find the pin yin an easier system to use when learning to pronounciate.
Why is Tai Ji called an "internal art"?
There can be several reasons why Taijiquan is called an internal art. Essential the art teaches you to become an internal observer of the mind/body at being present in the moment. This starts ironically on the surface of the skin and then extends into the internal mind/body. The focus of Taijiquan is on the cultivation, nurturing and re-generation of internal energy or "Qi" which in fact is the root of the art. Its cultivation is aided through the following;
- Relaxing the mind and filling the abdomen through long, fine, calm and slow natural breathing. (Focusing on the lower dantian 下丹田, Xià Dāntián, while naturally breathing, without forcing or holding onto the breath at the exchanges of inhale and exhale.
- Correct alignment of the skeletal body so the channels from upper and lower are not kinked or twisted which will prevent qi flow. Think of this analogy. Qi is like water and your body the garden hose. If you want the water to flow you don't twist or kink the hose. You need to make sure there are continuous open channels for the qi to flow.
- We say "when moving you should seek stillness and when still seek out where any movement occurs". This statement means when "moving" i.e. doing the form or Taoist qi gong movements you should be listening inside your body and if you feel any imbalances seek out the cause. When "still", engaging in meditation whether it be sitting or standing, seek out any unnecessary movements due to tension or the mind wandering so the mind/body can be stilled. Again you are internally observing.
- Stilling the body by being present through meditation practice helps to still and calm the mind.
Tai Chi Chuan Tasmania Li Chi Hsiang Inner Health
Marist Regional College Paraka St
Burnie, Tasmania 7320
Mobile Number: 0421634695
Marist Regional College Paraka St
Burnie, Tasmania 7320
Mobile Number: 0421634695