A History and the Origin of Tai Chi
Some research indicated that traces of a wide acceptance of Tai Chi were found in the village of Chen. This was the time of Chen Wang Ting during the early 1600s. Documents have it that this is the place where Tai Chi was born.
One of the legendary and respected founders who created the idea of imitating the flow and motion of the different martial art and kung fu techniques is Chang San Feng. By combining the different principles of Taoism, kung fu, and the theory of Yi Jing, he created the ever popular form of meditation, Tai Chi.
Characteristic
Tai Chi stresses to its practitioners that they must observe proper breathing, and correct posture so as to facilitate the pattern of the flowing Chi. Tai Chi can also be used as a form of self-defense but as time moves forward, it is less stressed.
Schools
Today, there are four popular schools of Tai Chi-Yang, Wu, Sun and Chen. These four are all unique in appearance and method of instruction but all follows the fundamentals of the basic principles applied in ancient Tai Chi that consists of cultivation of chi, correct posture, and principles of breathing.
Yang Style
This is the most famous and popular form of Tai Chi. In this kind of style, the body emphasizes a consistency regarding its movement speed, smoothness and slow but refined motion with continuity through the entire session.
Chen Style
When the Chen style of Tai Chi is performed, it features a motion that is in slow portions but then builds a stronger inner chi. it also exhibits a more explosive form with a fast turning when attacking. The back foot remains the same with the Yang style but as to being straight, it maintains a bent back knee.
May be quite similar to the traditional style of kung fu San Diego wherein stances are opposite to that of the Yang and Wu styles. All stances are often done in a low state and have a bit of an external feeling.
Sun Style
This type of Tai Chi was created in the year 1914 by Sun Lu Tang. By combining the three together with the theory supported by Yi Jing, principles of Taoism, and Qigong, he created a new and unique style of Tai Chi.
Wu Style
Considered as the youngest, it represents high stances and much slower movements. The front stances are parallel. This type of Tai Chi introduces a lot of reaching and leaning movements that are more controlled and slower than the rest.
By combining the different principles of Taoism, kung fu, and the theory of Yi Jing, he created the ever popular form of meditation, Tai Chi.
When the Chen style of Tai Chi is performed, it features a motion that is in slow portions but then builds a stronger inner chi. By combining the three together with the theory supported by Yi Jing, principles of Taoism, and Qigong, he created a new and unique style of Tai Chi.
Tai Chi stresses to its practitioners that they must observe proper breathing, and correct posture so as to facilitate the pattern of the flowing Chi. Tai Chi can also be used as a form of self-defense but as time moves forward, it is less stressed. Incorporating Tai Chi, can enhance one’s martial arts longevity.
Original article and pictures take www.jamesmartialartsacademy.com site
