Yang Cheng T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Introduction

   To the Chinese, T'ai Chi is a kind of mathematical modal of the universe and serves very much the same fuction in Chinese culture and science, as has the mathematics in western science since the renaissance. The T'ai Chi derives its unevenness from rich contributions of the I Ching (book of changes), Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. To attempt to more fully appreciate and understand T'ai Chi Ch'uan, the above four philosophies-religions need to be considered.
    The I Ching is an ancient oriental handbook of administrations an object of religion devotion, an analysis of subconscious imagery, and a cosomological treatise, a weather forcaster, and among other things a guide to physical health. This book contributes three major concepts of the T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Symboliccally, T'ai Chi bases its movements on the Eight Trigrams of the PaKua. In the Chi (energy) it includes Yin and Yang. In Li (reason and principle) it consists of fundamental law of Tao and the principle of change, love and righteousness.
    T'ai Chi Ch'uanist basic principle of harmony of Yin and Yang are exemplifies in the Confucian concept that harmony is the universal path on which all human action should proceed. The life and health of an organism thus depends upon free flow of this force and a proper balance between the two polarities. If equilibrium is upset or the flow restricted the organism becomes sick. It is the goal of  T'ai Chi through its cyclic movements (principle of circles) and balance to the mean (middle way) to achieve a harmony in motion with the universe.
    According to Taoism, the law of nature as it applies to T'ai Chi can be divided into two parts. The use of Tao consists of softness, the softness of all things over rides the hardest of all things, This law of nature is seen in the slow gracefulness of the T'ai Chi dance and Tao consists of movement and returning motion. In the T'ai Chi dance movement is constant, even and relaxed, spring, pull, press, pull and pull are in harmony. So to with the Tao, without its movement the universe dies.
    T'ai Chi is an ancient Chinese system of controlled muscular movements that is both an exercise for health and long life and stress reduction, but a method of self-defense. T'ai Chi is not an aggressive art, self-protection always takes the form of a reaction, or defeating an enemy at the instant they attack, this method uses no force in repelling his opponent. His every movement during the attack is light and soul-like, gentle as a falling leaf (pushing hands concept).
    It may be concluded that through the ages ancient philosophies of the I Ching, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have formed the foundation of the Chinese philosophical and religious thought and out of which the practice of T'ai Chi Ch'uan is the flower.