Our master of Taichi, Yunjin Xu
What is Taijiquan (Tai Chi)?
Taijiquan is a profound and multifaceted Chinese internal martial art. It is not only a system of self-defense but also a method of cultivation that integrates qigong, health philosophy, and meditation in motion.
The name “Taijiquan” originates from the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taiji (the Great Ultimate), a concept described as early as around 1122 BCE in the Yijing (Book of Changes).
From Wuji to Taiji: According to Wang Zongyue’s Taijiquan Treatise, Taiji arises from Wuji, the state of undifferentiated stillness. It is considered the mother of movement and stillness, as well as yin and yang. When one stands quietly with a calm mind, one is in the state of Wuji. As soon as intention arises and movement begins, yin and yang differentiate, and one enters the state of Taiji. Thus, Taijiquan is often regarded as an art led by intention.
Manifestation of Yin–Yang Theory: The principles and forms of Taijiquan are fully based on the philosophy of yin–yang interaction. Its movements are circular, continuous, and flowing. As illustrated by the Taiji diagram, yin contains yang, yang contains yin, and the two transform endlessly into one another.
Daoist Influence: Rooted in Daoist thought, Taijiquan was first developed within Daoist temples. Its dual purpose was both martial training and spiritual cultivation, with the ultimate aim of attaining higher awareness.
Core Features: Internal Training and Qigong
Taijiquan is classified as an “internal” martial art (neijia), contrasting with “external” styles such as Shaolin. Its key characteristic lies in the cultivation of qi (vital energy).
Meditation in Motion: Taijiquan is a slow, relaxed form of moving meditation. Through mindful movement, practitioners can experience the circulation of qi (sometimes described as bioelectric energy) within the body, fostering calmness and balance.
A Branch of Qigong: Taijiquan can be seen as a form of qigong practice. Whereas external martial arts train the body’s muscles and bones from the outside in, internal arts like Taijiquan cultivate qi first, then apply it to technique, transforming softness into strength.
Martial Power (Jin): Taijiquan develops a type of martial power known as jin, defined as the ability to direct energy with focused intention to mobilize the body efficiently. It emphasizes yielding and using softness to overcome hardness, turning apparent weakness into strength.
Purposes and Benefits of Taijiquan
People practice Taijiquan for diverse reasons, ranging from health to martial application to personal cultivation.
Health and Well-being: Practicing Taijiquan helps calm the mind and relax the body, supporting smooth circulation of energy and blood. It is valued as a method for maintaining vitality and balance.
Martial and Self-defense Skills: Though widely practiced today for health, Taijiquan was originally developed as an effective martial art. Its defensive abilities are said to mature with age, making it suitable across generations.
Spiritual Cultivation: Taijiquan guides practitioners toward inner stillness and self-awareness. Through meditative practice, one may develop clarity of mind and neutrality in judgment, moving beyond emotional disturbance toward insight into life and the cosmos.
The Foundations of Taijiquan
The technical foundation of Taijiquan is summarized as the Thirteen Postures, consisting of eight fundamental methods of force and five basic stepping patterns.
Eight Methods (Ba Men): Ward-off (peng), rollback (lü), press (ji), push (an), and others, corresponding to the eight trigrams (bagua).
Five Steppings (Wu Bu): Advance, retreat, look left, gaze right, and central equilibrium, corresponding to the five elements (wuxing).
Together, these form the essence of Taijiquan as a practice of harmonizing body, mind, breath, and intention.
Characteristics of Yang-style Taijiquan
Yang-style Taijiquan is today the most widely practiced style, known for its accessibility and emphasis on health.
Three Main Frames:
Large Frame: Popularized by Yang Chengfu, characterized by open, expansive, and gentle movements. Best suited for beginners and health cultivation.
Medium Frame: Taught by Yang Jianhou, featuring a balance of softness and firmness, with smooth transitions.
Small Frame: Associated with Yang Shaohou, characterized by compact, agile, and martial-oriented movements.
Emphasis on Health and Accessibility:
Yang Chengfu was the first to openly share family teachings, promoting large-frame Taijiquan for widespread practice. Since 1926, when he taught at the Central Martial Arts Institute in Nanjing, Yang-style gained national prominence.
Movement Principles:
Gentle and continuous, highlighting yielding and neutralization.
Specific requirements such as relaxed shoulders, rounded hand forms, an upright spine, and a centered stance.
Relaxed waist and hips, enabling efficient power generation.
Martial Reputation in History:
Despite its modern focus on health, Yang-style originated as an effective martial system. Founder Yang Luchan was undefeated in challenges, earning the title “Unbeatable Yang.”
Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)
Standing meditation is a still form of qigong practice within Taijiquan, classified as relatively “yang” compared to seated meditation.
Purpose: To train relaxation, grounding, awareness of qi, and inner focus through holding postures.
Methods:
Embracing the Moon: Standing with arms rounded in front of the chest, maintaining balance and sensing energy flow.
Squat Stance: Strengthening the legs and cultivating endurance.
Effects: Helps practitioners stabilize the body’s center, cultivate awareness of energy flow, and prepare for more advanced Taijiquan practice.
Yang- and Chen-style Taijiquan
Origins: Yang-style descends directly from Chen-style. Yang Luchan, the founder, studied the “Old Frame” under Chen Changxing in Chenjiagou.
Differences:
Chen-style: Emphasizes explosive power (fajin), with visible bursts of force and sound.
Yang-style: Modified by Yang Chengfu to be softer, broader, and better suited for health practice, though earlier Yang styles retained compact and martial features.
Popularity: Yang-style spread widely due to Yang Chengfu’s openness and emphasis on health benefits, while Chen-style remained relatively guarded within family traditions.
Yang-style Old Frame
The Old Frame of Yang-style refers to the system Yang Luchan originally learned from Chen Changxing.
Features: Balanced structure, upright posture, smooth yet firm movements, and an
integration of martial applications with internal training.
Evolution: Later modified by Yang Chengfu into the widely practiced large-frame form, which prioritized health and accessibility over compact martial applications.
In summary, the Old Frame represents the roots of Yang-style Taijiquan, retaining stronger martial elements, while the modern large-frame Yang style emphasizes openness, relaxation, and health, making it the most practiced style worldwide today.