Tai chi chuan is a Chinese martial art consisting of a series of prescribed and sequenced positions, known as tai chi forms, with names based on nature and bodily actions. There are numerous styles and sequences, with popular ones including Yang, Wu, and Taoist. Learning individual poses is essential, and proper technique is best learned from a tai chi master. Yang tai chi is generally used for healing and exercise, with a variation called sword tai chi that incorporates actual swords.
Originating in China, tai chi chuan, also known as tai chi, is a form of martial arts based on movement through a series of prescribed and sequenced positions, which may also be called tai chi forms. These positions are performed in sequential sets of movements, and are sometimes called tai chi forms or tai chi postures. Tai Chi positions generally have names that are descriptive of the form of each position. Because tai chi positions are based on parts of nature, some, such as “repel monkey” and “snake crawls down” have animal-based names. Other positions have names like “crossed hands” and “stop and punch” that give a description of the bodily action that must take place while performing the position.
Tai Chi positions are numerous, and their styles and sequences may vary depending on the type of Tai Chi being practiced. Originally it was mainly practiced as a folk martial art with local variations in each region of China. Although tai chi features myriad types of poses, popular tai chi styles include Yang, Wu, and Taoist style stances.
Each type of tai chi has movement sets with a specific number of positions. The simplified forms of tai chi include shortened series of 10, 12, and 24 movement positions, but the sequences can include any number of positions. Most types of tai chi have starting and ending positions, usually called starting and ending positions.
Beginning tai chi enthusiasts who wish to learn tai chi must first work on memorizing and performing the set of tai chi positions that are unique to the style they wish to practice. Learning individual poses is essential to correctly practicing tai chi movement sequences. Although there are many books and videos to help a tai chi student learn the stances, proper technique for the stances used in tai chi is best learned in person from a tai chi master. An in-person tai chi instructor can help the student ensure that she is performing tai chi forms correctly and safely.
Slow and gentle in its practice and the nature of its positions and movement, Yang tai chi is the style generally used for healing and exercise. A variation of Yang tai chi called sword tai chi incorporates actual swords during the performance of the positions. Some sword tai chi disciplines use a straight sword, and some use curved swords. Yang sword tai chi uses 13 positions or movements for practice, including the tai chi positions called Whip, Obstruct and Strike.
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