Tai Chi or Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), Chinese martial art for health, relaxation and self-defense. Tai Chi means "great ultimate" and Taijiquan "great ultimate fist." Tai Chi's origin is unknown. It is said Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist and a martial art expert of the Wudang Mountains, invented it. According to legends, Zhang observed a fight between a snake and a crane in which the snake won through relaxed, evasive movements and quick counterstrikes. He devised a fighting form that emphasized quick, flexible movements and strong punches on the principle of "subduing the vigorous by the soft." Tai Chi gradually becomes popular since the late Ming Dynasty or early Qing dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, Qi Jiguang (1528-1587, a famous general, wrote Quanjing (Boxing text). In the 18th century, Wang Zongyue developed new styles based on yin and yang and gave his style the name of "Tai Chi Chuan".
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), disease is caused by a disturbance in the flow of qi, or life force. Tai Chi can promote physical health by enhancing the flow of qi. Tai Chi is also taught as a form of meditation and mental exercise in which students learn to center and focus their mental powers.
There are five major schools of Tai Chi. (1) Yang Luchan (1799-1872) and his grandson Yang Chengfu (1883-1936) developed a style which features extended, natural, slow, and balanced movements. (2) The Chen School whose style features soft and vigorous movements. (3) The Wu School, developed by Wu Jianquan (1870-1942), a follower of Yang Luchan, features a circular path of movements. (4) The Wu School, developed by Wu Yuziang (1812-1880), further enhanced by Hao Weizhen (1849-1920) known as the Hao style, features simple, quick, and a well-knit series of movements. (5) The Sun School, developed by Sun Lutang (1861-1932), a disciple of Hao Weizhen, features nimble and quick movements.
All schools share the following essentials: (1) extension and relaxation of body; (2) tranquility and ease of mind; (3) coordination of bodily movements. Today, Tai Chi is most commonly practiced as a series of slow, flexible, and co-ordinated movements. (Source: Simplified "Taijiquan." Rev. ed. People's Sports Publishing House of China, 1999).
A number of web sites are available on Tai Chi:
Taichi Online. http://www.taichi-online.com
World T'ai Chi & QiGong Day: http://www.worldtaichiday.org
International Taoist Tai Chi society: http://www.taoist.org