|
San Diego Martial Arts Directory |
People misunderstand Tai Chi
Chuan as a Senior Citizen's Art.
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
home
|
This
name means
"grand ultimate fist." Tai Chi is one of the oldest martial arts in
the world. It is so old that its origins are lost. Little is known
about its
early history, though its foundation is credited to the Taoist Chang
San Feng
(Chang Zhangfeng) more than eight hundred years ago. This soft style
originated
in China. It consists of slow, connected movements that are practiced
to reduce
tension, to slow breathing and to clear the mind. Moving correctly and
allowing
the chi to circulate freely is the goal. Students learn to yield so
that the
attacker is overcome by his or her own force. Tai Chi also has weapons,
principally a double-edged straight sword. It is a method for achieving
physical
fitness and serenity of mind. It is not ordinarily regarded as a
practical
self-defense system, though the movements have self-defense
applications, and
practitioners can achieve great power in their techniques. In
China, it is
very popular. It is practiced by individuals and groups. Chen is the
original
style, which indicates to some historians that the Chen family in the
Hunan
province must have developed it. Other important schools included Yang,
which
developed directly from Chen and is the most widespread; Wu and Sun,
which
derived from Yang style, plus Cheng, a more philosophical version. Fu,
practiced
mostly in China, is less well-known. Others include Li, Hao and Hsu. The
underlying theory of Tai Chi is that the mind, body and spirit must be
unified
for wholeness and complete health. Opponents can be people, but also
illness of
mental or physical origin. All must be combatted. The art is practiced
alone in
forms, and with partners. The forms include the famous Long Form, which
can take
more than half an hour to complete, and the Short Form, a modified
version that
can be performed in less than ten minutes. The principle of yin-yang is
important, and a complete understanding of such harmony is emphasized.
Its
original concepts are still intact: it teaches continuous movement,
relaxation,
solid stances, a straight body and the movement of chi from inside the
body to
outside. Each arm protects half the body and the hands never reach
farther
forward than the toes. Tai Chi is one of the five Chinese
accomplishments
thought to make a superior person, along with painting, poetry,
calligraphy and
music. Breathing exercises for health, Ji Gong are often taught with
Tai Chi. (Taken
from The Martial Arts Encyclopedia by Jennifer Lawler) Tai Chi Chuan
Schools in San Diego Jing Institute of
Chinese Martial Arts
Fail to Plan and You Plan to Fail!Don't put off the Idea of Learning Martial Arts!
Comments, complaints, or suggestions? e-mail us at
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Copyright © 2005 [San Diego Martial Arts Directory]. All rights reserved. |