What is Tai Chi (Tai Ji)?
Tai chi ( Tai Ji) is a philosophical principle-practical originating in China, which applied to martial arts, known as Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Ji Quan), where the word Chuan refers to ‘fist’ or compendium of martial techniques that employ blows. Tai Chi Chuan can be translated as ‘The Martial Art of Balance Supreme’. It is said that formerly practitioners had to master the martial arts external (Wu Shu) before being initiated into the internal arts such as Tai Chi. This tells us that despite the softness in appearance, the Tai Chi Chuan lies a pathway of evolution at different levels, including the martial aspect.
Taichi today
Today we perceive it as a discipline that integrates mental and physical work through movement in combination with meditation and breathing techniques. During the practice, the attention is directed towards the interior ‘of the skin inward’ while executing movements that will be chained, to the time they refined the principles of philosophical and practical: firmness in the structure, alternating between Yin/yang, the body remains at the center, etc This way is working steadily posture, coordination and concentration, therefore, is sometimes spoken of Tai Chi as ‘meditation in motion’. December 17, 2020, the UNESCO included the Taichi, officially, in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Taichi applications
A fundamental principle in the practice of Tai Chi is to understand the person as a whole to improve by balancing and connecting the different systems of the body. Taking into account this approach, Taichi is a practice that allows us to develop all aspects of the person: body, mind, attitude, and emotions in a full and balanced way. In addition, we can aim practice to more specific aspects and enhance the abilities of the person to amend personal imbalances
Learn Tai Chi
Learning Taichi involves different phases. In an initial phase, the theoretical and philosophical foundations are learned and strengthened through the practice of basic exercises, in order to develop a correct and solid Taichi structure. Sequences of increasingly complex movements are gradually incorporated, which will allow us to gradually involve the different aspects of the discipline, thus adapting to the changes that the practice produces in us. To get started in Taichi you can start by learning the sequences of movements of the basic forms (Taolu). These will help us coordinate our mind, our body and our breathing, and later with a specialized guide, develop the most subtle aspects that will allow us to go deeper without falling into mistakes that could harm us. It is important throughout the learning process to respect the practice and the people (teachers) who have dedicated their time and effort over centuries, to develop and bring to us to this day the richness that these arts provide us. . This respect will help us navigate moments and avoid premature abandonment of the discipline.
