Tai Chi Chuan was derived from Taoism. The most important practice of Taoism was concerned with tranquility of mind and improvement of temperament. Since the hustle and bustle of city is unsuitable for those seeking self-discipline, the Taoists had to search for isolated spots where they could lead the life of a hermit. Such spots exist only in the mountains where one finds little or no sound, no sorrow and no movement. But in reality such hermitage is an unsuitable environment in which to dwell. The reasons for this are that the air thought fresh, is often foggy; the winds are too strong; transportation of food is difficult making nutrition a bit deficiency. Furthermore, there is a constant danger of being a victim of wild beasts. Also, many diseases when left unattended, may cause death. So, many taoists failed to reach their Destiny -- the life of transcendental bliss. Therefore, the taoists developed techniques of Martial Art in order to gain good health and to protect themselves from the attacks of beasts.
In the Tong Dynasty (618 AD to 907 AD), there were some soft styles of the martial arts of which the Thirty Seven Styles of Hsu Suan Ping (~{PmP{F=~}) was the main one. At the end of the Sung Dynasty a Taoist by the name of Cheung San Fung (~{UEH}7a~}), in order to find one suitable martial art for the Taoist, often observed the habits of long- lived animals such as turtles and cranes. After many years of study, he, at last, created Tai Chi Chuan.
This martial art of Tai Chi is based on the concepts of the Yin Yang Relationship.
Indeed, Tai Chi is in itself very comprehensive in meaning. In the philosophical sense, it explains everything in the Universe. It treats the universe as a unity. The Taoist called it 'Tao'.
Tai Chi, in itself, possesses two parts completely different in nature, one part is called 'Yin', the other is called 'Yang'. Everything in the world can be said to possess Yin and Yang. The I Ching (~{RW>-~}) states: 'Tai Chi turned into Lain Yee (~{A=RG~}), two powers of Yin and Yang. Lian Yee turned into See Jarn (~{KDOs~}), and See Jarn turned into Ba Kua (~{0K9R~}).
This is the martial concept of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is beyond the limits of both time and space. It also came into being prior to the existence of Heaven and Earth. According to Tai Chi principles, the genesis of the universe is based on two different forces, Yin and Yang, collectively called Lian Yee (~{A=RG~}). These two react to produce variation and give rise to four factors called See Jarn (~{KDOs~}), which are responsible for the formation of the Universe. See Jarn can be classified as Old Yang, Young Yang, Old Yin and Young Yin. The Old Yang and Old Yin represent inorganic matter while the Yong Yang and Yong Yin represent organic matter. Since the Old Yang and Old Yin are not able to change, they cannot develop. On the other hand, the Yong Yang and Yong Yin are able to change, so they can develop. The reaction of Yin and Yang also induces the formation of eight more entities that affect the growth of plants, birth of animals and even the evolution of the human race. The eight entities are known as Ba Kua (~{0K9R~}). They are Heaven (~{G,~}), Earth (~{@$~}), Light (~{Up~}), Air (~{Yc~}), Water (~{?2~}), Fire (~{@k~}), Mountains (~{t^~}), Seas and Rivers (~{6R~}).
Since all matter in the Universe is formed from Yin and Yang, all things inherently possess Yin and Yang. In philosophy, Yin and Yang exist in both spiritual and material states. In society, Yin and Yang exist in capitalist and worker. In the animal kingdom, Yin and Yang exist in life and death. Yin and Yang also exist in the North and South Poles, in day and night, in the positive and negative charges in physics.
Yin and Yang are opposites, but they are in unity while in opposition. In a suitable and harmonized condition, they will counteract and develop, but in an unsuitable and unharmonized condition, they will repel one another and destroy all matter. Yin and Yang counteract and yet they react. When their reaction reaches its end, they naturally revert in the opposite direction and start all over again. All natural phenomena follow this pattern of variation in constant repetition. So annually there are the seasonal changes: from warm spring to hot summer, from cool automn to cold winter, then from cold winter to warm spring again. Also each day exists from the light at dawn ato the darkness at dusk, and then from dusk it reverts to dawn again. Similarly, plants grow from flowers to fruits, from fruits to seeds then from seeds revert to flowers again. Even for animals, one generation propagates another, this pattern is repeated continuously. Therefore, Yin and Yang are involved in all phenomena and at all times in the Universe.
Since Tai Chi reveals the relationship between Nature and Man, we realize that no man can evade the effects of this universal variation. Nevertheless, man can still adapt to an environment by putting restrictions on his demands, activities and ambition; then man may live a longer more balanced life of stability and peace.
The principles of Tai Chi have been thoroughly appllied to different academic subjects in Chinese.
The series of Movements of Tai Chi Chuan comprises the 'open and close' of the arms and legs, the 'void and substaintiality' of steps, the 'continuity' of actions, and the 'softness' of postures. All these obey the definition of the theory of Tai Chi -- 'The unbending breaks while the yielding survives.' This also has two meanings: the promotion of our health belongs to Yin while our self-protection belongs to Yang.
Slow practice and avoiding the use of great strength is necessary for the improvement of our health, since this will make the actions more soft and the muscles of the whole body will relax more easily, it also makes the nervous system relax, so that our emotions will be more stable.
As for the self-defence aspect, the principle of Tai Chi Chuan concerning this is divided into two parts -- the yielding force and the unbending force. The yielding force belongs to Yin and the unbending force belongs to Yang. When fighting, we use the yielding force to counteract our opponent's attack and the unbending force to couterattack our opponent. The change of forces from unbending to yielding or vice versa is achieved in the form of a circle. Therefore the main pattern of Tai Chi Chuan is like many circles spiralling continually without nd. The main feature of this circle is that we use half of the circle as yielding force to counteract the opponent's attack, and the other half circle as unbending force to counterattack the opponent. When using such circles, we can use one hand by itself or both hands together to act upon our opponent directly or indirectly at angles horizontal, inclined or vertical -- depending on the circumstances.
There are three advantages of the style of Tai Chi Chuan for use in self-defence:
(1) We can use a lesser force to counteract a storng attack, then concentrate our attention on counterattacking our opponent in order to finish him.The proper appllicatin of these styles mainly depends on good technique and practice. Since practice can promote technique, we will improve as we learn how to perform the techniques more confidently.
(2) As we reduce the force used and energy consumed, we maintain our body in good shape and fight longer so as to defeat our opponent.
(3) Slightly built persons can make use of these principles to protect themselves against stronger opponents.
Health is very important to us, so how to acquire a strong and healthy body is an important problem we are concerned with. It is commonly recognized that proper physical exercise is the best method of keeping our body fit and healthy. But it is not so easy to find a type of exercise that suits people of all ages, though there are many kinds of exercise that exist in our society such as golf, tennis, football and the like.
Tai Chi Chuan is one of the best exercises for all ages. Those who practice it gain a healthy body as well as an alert mind. With the improvement to their health, they are able to concentrate better on their routine tasks and to make decisions more effectively. This may indirectly lead to career success.
The form of Tai Chi Chuan, in performance, jlooks like a classical dance with graceful movements and alert actions. It also offers a balanced drill to the muscles and joints of the various parts of the body in the way of complicated actions which, in turn, are regulated by the timing of deep breathing and the movement of the diaphragm. Furthermore, a tranquil state of mind and complete dedication to or spiritual concentration on all the movements are required during the exercise. This will ensure that the central nervous system including its cardinal components is given sufficient training and is consequently toned up with time as the exercise continues. It is quite logical to say that the efficiency of the various organs of our body depends largely on the soundness of the central nervous system. In other words, a strong central nervous system is the basic condition of a healthy body.
To the viscera, arterial and respiratory systems, the Tai Chi Chuan will bring forth the same beneficial effects. Besides exercising the muscles and the joints as aforesaid, it gives rise to harmonized and uniform breathing, especially in the movement of the diaphragm. Therefore, it can improve the circculation of the blood and the lymphatic gland.
The movement of the muscles exerts pressure on the veins, forcing the blood to flow towards the heart. During the deep breathing, the muscles of the diaphragm act to massage the liver and the viscera bringing a marked improvement to the functioning of these organs.
One fo the characteristics of Tai Chi Chuan is that breathing is brought into harmony with the actions. Since the breathing is so deep that the intake of air to the lungs is greater in quantity than usual, a greater amount of oxygen is available for consumption and thus, blood circulation is accelerated. What is more important is that the blood vessels catering for the nourishment of the heart and the viscera respectively are expanded. In this respect, Tai Chi Chuan servers effectively as a tool to prevent all kinds of diseases of the heart and the viscera and inflexibility of the cardiac muscle.
Tai Chi Chuan offers a good opportunity to exercise the stomach muscles. As a result, the function of teh digestive system including the stomach is improved as evidenced by a better appetite and the prevention of constipation. This is advantageous to the aged in particular.
The natural process of human life consists in the taking in oxygen and other nourishments which, after due to transformation of state, are conveyed to different parts of the body through the medium of the bloodstream. After undergoing certain physical and chemical processses, part of the marterials taken in are conveted to waste products which are th4en excreted. This process is called 'substitution'. When 'substitution' ceases, the spark of life will be extinguished. On the other hand, when substitution is going on in an inefficient manner, arteriosclerosis and many other kinds of diseases will be the result. This is commonly seen with the aged. As Tai Chi Chuan adequately serves the purposes of strengthening the central nervous system, improving the blood cirdulation, increasing nourishment to the heart and the viscera and promoting better digestion, it will safeguard the process of substitution and prevent many kinds of diseases which are usually contracted by the aged.
In conclusion, Tai Chi Chuan is the best means of preventing diseases and of promoting the general physique.
The form of Tai Chi Chuan, an artistic style of exercise, has a lot of other characteristics. They are very helpful to those who practice it. For example, one of them is the tranquility of mind which can be achieved throughout the movement. Teh mvoes are as fluid as the running watter of streams and rivers, while the midn is so peaceful, and the actions so graceful that it is much the same tranquil state as that found in Taoism. The movements of Tai Chi Chuan keep the heart and the lungs in a proper and comfortable condition, giving the body and the mind a lot of benefit. For the above reasons, it does not only improve one's health, but also changes one's disposition. It is not surprising that after practicing over a period of time, a hot-tempered man will change into a gentle man. So Tai Chi Chuan is also helpful in improving one's temperament.
Another characteristic of Tai Chi Chuan is 'Concentrating on thought rather than strength'. After a period of time, a man will consider thoroughtly daily problems with which he is confonted, and will be able to take immediate and appropriate action. Reluctance to emphasize strength means that thought should direct every action when practicing, so that every action is alert and skillful. If a person has a healthy body as well as sound mind, he will handle problems with ease, have considerable success in his career and lead a happy life