What is Taiji Quan?
Taiji Quan (pronounced Tai Chee Chwan) is said to have been created by Chang Sang-Feng,
a Taoist priest, during the T'ang dynasty in China about 700 years ago. It is
sometimes described as “Shadow Boxing” or “Active Meditation. Fundamentally, it is
a martial art that not only embraces philosophy and self-defence but also consciousness, psychology
and medicine. Taiji is a Chinese Internal martial art – Neijia – where the emphasis
is on exercising body, mind and spirit.
However, the quan, or martial, aspect of Taiji Quan is, probably, studied
by less than ten percent of those who practice Taiji, with the vast majority
focussing on the health and wellbeing that continued practice, of the forms, can
bring.
Taiji Quan is the most popular of all the Internal martial arts forms around the
world with Yang Family Style being the most prolific. The meaning of Taiji is Grand
Ultimate Fist or Supreme Ultimate Fist – this is not an egotistical claim to be
the best martial art, it refers to the Taiji symbol, (more commonly known as the
Yin/Yang symbol), which itself symbolizes the Universe (past, present, and future).
As with all other arts, Taiji has become much more diverse as it different families
and teachers, through the millennia, have influenced the moves/application/style.
But through all this, even with the diversity of styles, the essence of the Internal
Art must remain for any of these styles to be truly called Taiji.
The natural way of movement of Taiji is only achieved when there is harmony between
the movement of the body, mind and spirit. The carefully structured patterns of
the Taiji form reflect the Taoist views of the universe. Throughout the form, and
indeed throughout life when one lives within the principals of Taiji, the Shen is
lifted, making the upper body light and flexible, while the Qi is sunk, and feet
are planted solidly on the earth. In Taoist philosophy, this is seen as symbolizing
mans’ position standing between the heavens and earth.
For centuries the Chinese have recognised the incredible health benefits of Taiji.
Its effects can be categorized into three separate but interconnected groups: -
- The effects on internal physiological balance and equilibrium.
- The effects on postural balance.
- The effects on psychological balance.
Although some of these effects are quick to be appreciated, it may be some time
before others are appreciated. The initial effects are usually seen in more
relaxed musculature and breathing, leading to better circulation and also to a
change in brain-wave from beta to alpha (this often occurs more quickly through
Qigong) that sets up a feedback loop encouraging deeper relaxation and
awareness.
Taiji constitutes a holistic approach to health and it is now being advised
along with Qigong by some western doctors for people with stress disorders,
or angina, and is now being recommended as a post heart bypass exercise. It seems
that the West is beginning to appreciate the centuries of accumulated knowledge
of the East.
The emphasis, in the main, is now on the health aspects of the art, but this is
only one facet and by ignoring the other facets, the true essence of Taiji can never be experienced. It is important therefore to
find a teacher who can not only “do the form” but who also has knowledge and
experience of Qi, the healing aspects, the spiritual (Shen) aspect, and the
martial aspect of the art.
Pro-Holistic provides Shiatsu,
Healing Qigong therapy, on-site massage, Stress Mangement courses, and Stress Mangement workshops. We also provide tuition in Qigong,
Taiji, Neijia,
and self defence.