TAIJIQUAN: AN ART WITH MANY BENEFITS
Robert A. Gordon I, Taijiquan and Qi Gong

Taijiquan has become a popular activity, but in many ways remains a mystery even to those who study it. Through it is known for its relaxation and health qualities Taijiquan, translated as "Grand Ultimate Boxing", is first and foremost a martial art.  

The origin of Taijiquan is partly accredited to a sixth century A.D. Buddhist priest named Bodihdharma (also called Ta Mo) who came to China's Shao-lin Monastery (temple) from India. Shao-Lin a Buddistic Monastery, was built in the period of Taiho during the later Wei Dynasty.  Emphasizing Ch'an (zen) meditation, Ta Mo created a series of exercise i.e. the Eighteen Lohan Shou;  Change of Sinew; and  Bone Marrow Washing exercise, to aid and help the monks regain muscle strength lost to long periods of meditation. The exercise utilized breathing and stationary body movements, and in time the system was developed into the original forms of Shao-Lin martial arts; known today as Shao-Lin Gung Fu.  These forms of Qi Gong emphasized physical (external) strength rather then Qi (chi) Cultivation. 

Chang San-Feng, a 13 century monk of Wu Tang Monastery, was attributed as the founder of Taijiquan. Chang San Feng, was alleged to have been a Taoist Alchemist Priest of Wu Tang Shan (mountain) during the Sung Dynasty. He was often said to have visited K'o Hung Mountain (taoist headquarters) and became profoundly interested in Taoist Alchemy. Legend reveals that after mastering the five (5) animal forms of Shao-Lin, Chang San Feng returned to Wu Tang Shan (mountain). Through his profound knowledge, he focused his attention on the Tao, and  achieved the development of Taijiquan. Chang San Feng took his knowledge of Shao-Lin and combined it with Taoist principles.   Unlike Shao-Lin, which emphasized sinews and bones, Chang emphasized the art of breathing (inhalation/exhalation) and the

development of Intrinsic Energy. By slowing down the movements of Gung Fu, Chang San Feng  formed the basic system of moving exercise known today as Taijiquan.  

Known as "Meditation in Motion" this Chinese (solo) exercise has been practiced throughout China since the 13th century, for meditation, health and self defense. This form of Nei Kung (Chinese inner exercise) is comprised of TAOIST PRINCIPLES of

Yin and Yang, and is displayed through slow, natural, rhythmic, and continous movement.  The study and practice of this internal system of Gung Fu hasshown to produce tremendous health benefits.   

Through the practice of Taijiquan postures, balance, strength and grace can be achieved, from relaxation and concentration. Breath coordination combined with movement, results in peace of mind and internal organ stimulation, thus improving one's overall health. The combined movements also stimulates the acupuncture meridians, clearing the passages (jingmai) through which vital energy flows,

Additionally, some of the conditions positively affected are: arthritis, bursitis, epilepsy, circulatory disorders, rheumatism, osteoporosis, tuberculosis, hypertension, respiratory disorders, and calcification of bones. 

Today, there are many styles of Taijiquan. The seven most-widely known are named Chen, Hao, Hu Lei, Sun, Wu, Yang and Zhao Bao, after the families who inherited and modified the original form. The most popular of the styles is Yang, Wu and Chen. With its large open movements and medium frame stance, Yang style is most user-friendly for beginners and for persons looking for the art's health benefits.

If an instructor is not teaching Taijiquan's martial principles, she or he must at least have an idea of the martial aspects. In order to extract the health benefits properly, Taijiquan must first and foremost be taught as and or conveyed as a martial art; since like a tree, the art is rooted in that tradition. Taijiquan should be like a juicy apple and not like a piece of waxed friut. Teaching very beautiful postures alone, will only result in rendering calisthenics rather than developing the internal energy for which the art is known. 

Performing Tajiquan-like exercises may help a student feel better, develop muscle strength, and improve ones overall health. However, without the martial elements the exercise lacks the dynamics and integrity from which lasting results are possible.

Tai Chi Chuan: An Art With Many Benefits

Tai Chi Chuan has become a popular activity these days, but in many ways remains a mystery even to those who study it. Though it is known for its relaxation and health qualities Tai Chi Chuan, translated as "Grand Ultimate Boxing", is first and foremost a martial art.

The origin of Tai Chi Chuan is partly accredited to Buddhist priest Da Mo. Da Mo came to China's Shaolin Temple. He created a series of exercises to help the Shaolin monks regain muscle strength lost to long periods of meditation. The exercises utilized breathing and stationary body movements. In time, the system Da Mo created was developed into the original forms of Shaolin martial arts known today as Shaolin Kung Fu.

Chang Sang Fang, a Shaolin monk, decided to retreat into the mountains to study the philosophy of Taoism; A philosophy which focuses on the elemental mysteries and ambiguities of nature. Chang Sang Fang took his knowledge of the Shaolin arts and combined it with Taoist principles. By slowing the movements of Kung Fu, Chang Sang Fang formed the basic system of moving exercises known to the world today as Tai Chi Chuan.

Today, there are many styles of Tai Chi Chuan. The five most-widely known are named Chen, Yang, Wuu, Wu, and Sun after the families who inherited and modified the original form. The most popular of the five family styles is Yang. With its large open movements and medium frame stance it is the most user-friendly for beginners and individuals looking for the art's health benefits.

All the styles are slow-moving and develop internal energy, or Chi, which leads to gaining the health benefits and martial strength.

Some of the conditions the study of Tai Chi Chuan has been known to positively affect are: arthritis, bursitis, epilepsy, circulatory disorders, rheumatism, osteoporosis, tuberculosis, hypertension, respiratory disorders, and calcification of bones.

If an instructor is not teaching Tai Chi Chuan's martial principles be weary. To extract the health benefit properly Tai Chi Chuan must first and foremost be taught as a martial art since, like a tree, the art is rooted in that tradition. Tai Chi Chuan should be like a juicy apple, not a piece of waxed fruit. There are some instructors teaching very beautiful postures, but the students wind up doing calisthenics rather than developing the internal energy for which the art is known.

Performing Tai Chi Chuan-like exercises may help a student feel better and develop muscle strength, but without the martial elements the exercise lacks the dynamics and integrity from which lasting results are possible.