Taijiquan (T'ai Chi)

The names of the Taijiquan 24-style form (Beijing or simplified taijiquan form). Each term includes the Chinese character, the pinyin transliteration, the common meaning, each character's literal translation, and a guide to pronouncing it correctly.

The abundance of "Become a Teacher" and "Certification" courses in Taijiquan and Qigong is part of a broader trend in modern wellness, martial arts, and holistic health industries. There are a few key reasons why so many people pursue teacher certification and why so many programs cater to that demand.

Zhàn zhuāng (站樁), commonly translated as "standing post," is a fundamental training method found in many traditional Chinese martial arts and qigong systems.

In the world of Chinese internal martial arts, few expressions resonate as deeply as the idiom 以柔克刚 (yǐ róu kè gāng)—"to overcome hardness with softness."

Among the many threads that weave together the tapestry of Taijiquan and Qigong, none is more essential, or more often overlooked by beginners, than the breath. It is not simply a physiological necessity, nor merely an accessory to movement.

The idiom shuǐ dī shí chuān (水滴石穿), "a drop of water wears through stone," appears simple at first glance, yet within it lies the essence of long-term practice in Taijiquan and Qigong.

Although Taijiquan and Qigong are often described as "lifetime" practices, it is a mistake to assume that nothing worthwhile can be gained in the short term. Even within the first weeks or months of practice, meaningful benefits can be felt.

At first glance, slow-moving practices like taijiquan and qigong might seem easier than fast-paced exercise, but many practitioners quickly discover that they can be surprisingly demanding.

The Chinese idiom shuǐ dī shí chuān (水滴石穿), "drops of water wear through stone," reminds us that true transformation comes not from sudden force but from steady persistence. In the martial arts, this image has long symbolized the way one slowly masters complex forms and skills.

In the practice of Taijiquan and Qigong, this timeless idiom reminds us that while forms may vary, the principles endure. Respecting diversity in posture and approach is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom.

The integration of the kuà, waist, and dāntián (丹田, dāntián) in Taijiquan (太极拳, tàijíquán) reflects a deep connection between the physical movements of the martial art and the energetic principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

A list of the 10 Essentials of Taijiquanby Yang Cheng-Fu with Chinese, pinyin, translation, and brief description of each.

Students begin studying taijiquan (Tai Chi) for a variety of reasons, which can be broadly categorized into physical, mental, and social motivations. Here are some common reasons why students start practicing taijiquan...

One of the core principles that sets Taijiquan apart from other martial arts is its emphasis on transitioning from external movement to internal movement.

Sometimes called the "Beijing form" due to its place of origin, it is a shortened or simplified version of traditional Yang family taiji (taijiquan). In the early 1950s, the Chinese government sought to promote taiji as a way to improve the nation's overall health.

Back in 1990 when my main taiji/qigong teacher suggested I start a class of my own, another student told me “now your taiji is really going to change.” I had no idea then how true that was...

Before finding taiji (t'ai chi) and qigong (ch'i kung) in 1988, I had been recovering from five years of multiple episodes of psychosis from schizophrenia, including being homeless at one point...

I have been asked by more than one how can I be a martial artist and yet practice as a Franciscan? It’s a good question, and in today’s world it may seem like a contradiction. But let me assure you it is not.

I wanted to understand taijiquan as a martial art. I was, therefore, first amused and then interested in the teacher's demonstration of what certainly looked like holding a ball in some postures before carrying out the obvious strike.

As we age, we need to maintain strength, flexibility and endurance. This is sometimes difficult since we tend to become more sedentary as we get older. Unfortunately, our daily activities do not become easier...

Dr. Wen Zee, a 78 year old cardiologist, has spent most of his professional career in the No. 6 People’s Hospital and the Central Hospital in the Jin An district, both in Shanghai, China. He is trained in both Western and traditional Chinese medicine.

Standing an egg-on-end requires an approach similar to what we learn in both T'ai Chi (Taiji) and Ch'i Kung (Qigong) Standing Meditation. Setting your feet, or in this case the end of the egg, down on a surface in a relaxed and supportive way will help insure that eventually it will stand upright and balanced.

Three attributes measure your effectiveness as a tai chi (taiji) teacher: your attitude, your tai chi skills and your teaching skills. In Chapter 5 of my book Teaching Tai Chi Effectively, I describe The Stepwise Progressive Teaching Method, these will be incorporated into one easy-to-learn system.

Taijiquan has become the most popular exercise in China at the turn of the century. However, during the Culture Revolution in the 1960s, Taijiquan along with many other traditionally valued activities was considered bourgeois. It therefore underwent a hiatus during that period of time in China. Fortunately, like good art and wine...

Being a student and teacher of Taiji I have found that there are three key rhythms to Taiji. First, is the normal way of doing Taiji, not to fast not too slow, a steady natural flow of movements leading one form into another like a dance...

Prior to producing momentum, the body gesture should be stable and the balance completely centered. The mind and body should be relaxed. There should be no hesitation, no rigidity. Remove all distracting thoughts from the mind and allow the return of the body gesture to that state of being natural...

One of the most important factors to consider when performing Taijiquan, is body posture. Here, we present a computer animation of a human skeleton performing the opening movements of a typical Yang style Taijiquan form. This skeleton shows the structural posture needed to perform these movements correctly.

It cannot be ignored that the authentic taijiquan (t'ai chi ch'uan) which existed not too many decades ago did not have access to boom boxes much less iTunes. What is irrefutable however is that, at what was arguably the starting point of modern taiji sport, Yang Cheng Fu clearly advised its performance as "like a great river rolling to the sea"...

The ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is the perfect calisthenic for today's seniors. The relaxed and unhurried movements help alleviate nervous and muscular tension. Tai Chi Chuan lubricates joints and promotes automatic body alignment for better control of balance, helping to prevent the instability that can lead to falls.

We've made it clear that to improve your t'ai chi you must understand the t'ai chi principles and practice regularly and with awareness. Now let's look at some other methods that will help you improve your skills...

A philosophy subsumes principles. In taijiquan there are abundant principles to fill many inch-thick books published. All these principles tie-in with the philosophy of taiji. Taiji is the draw-string of a net of principles. To talk about principles without touching on philosophy makes for diverse beliefs and different schools...

Knee injuries are regrettably common among martial artists and people in general. They’re stubborn and slow to heal. Using massage and self-applied acupressure, this exercise nourishes the knee with blood and qi. It can speed the repair process and, better yet, prevent injuries from occurring.

Tai Chi teaches us how to walk. Every step is slow and exaggerated, so we have a chance to notice and shape every detail of the process. My students and I practice what I call feather walking to prepare us physically and mentally to do the Tai Chi sequence

As we progress in our taiji from simple movements, short form, long form, applications, to free style, there is still one phase of taiji (tai chi) that is rarely spoken about or taught. The process of learning to take punches, hits, blows, or pushes is very important to help us deepen our practice and ground us in our taiji...

Many people are drawn to study Taiji for its refined martial arts techniques demonstrated with such principles as moving 10,000 pounds with a single ounce. The martial art of Taiji cannot be applied with muscle strength alone, but requires some understanding of Qi movement in one's own body and how it interacts with an opponent.

Those of us with a regular Tai Chi practice intrinsically understand its value for everything from physical fitness to spiritual fulfillment. In communicating our enthusiasm for Tai Chi, what we often lack is the kind of hard evidence for Tai Chi's value that can break through the wall of skepticism put up by many westerners.

A wise company knows that its success is dependent upon its most valuable resource: its employees. The number of wellness programs springing up throughout our country's corporations today is a testimony to this fundamental truth.

The origin of Taijiquan is one mixed with legends, theories, and folklore. The most commonly held belief places its historical origin around a small village in China's Henan Province (Chenjiagou), in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.

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