Even though Tai Chi is famous among martial arts practitioners, not all have an idea what kind of martial art Tai Chi is. You might think all martial arts are the same with all that punching and kicking. So, for the benefit of those who are grappling with what Tai Chi is, read along and you will have and idea what makes Tai Chi different from other martial arts.
Tai Chi is a Chinese combat art system that developed way back in ancient China. This was originally created as a martial art with the name Tai Chi Chuan, which means 'Supreme Ultimate Fist'. But unlike other martial arts which use explosive kicks and hard punches to overcome an opponent, Tai Chi instead uses slow tempo maneuvers and subtle movements.
Tai Chi was claimed to be founded by a wise monk Chang San Feng. One night he had a dream about a battle between a crane and a snake. He believed it to be a divine dream so he proceeded to study it and made the 13 postures. This became the foundation of Tai Chi.
After a few years, several distinguished Tai Chi masters made their own styles of Tai Chi. From this, different Tai Chi styles were born, such as the Chen style, Yang style, and the Wu style. Other Tai Chi styles have also emerged but these three were the most popular, and the Yang style was the most practiced.
Today, the popularity of Tai Chi Chuan as a combat art has faded. Ordinary students find it hard to keep up. Unlike other kinds of Chinese martial arts, this one requires a lot of discipline and practice for those who want to study it. Also, another reason Tai Chi is not popular anymore is because Chinese masters are believed to be very selective in choosing their students.
But Tai Chi has gradually come into the limelight and regained its status in the martial arts field. This time it is not as a combat art, but as a health regimen. People now are doing Tai Chi to improve their mental and physical health. They started enrolling at Tai Chi Dojos and skilled Tai Chi masters suddenly became in demand. Governments even sponsored teaching centers for Tai Chi. Nowadays, you can see people doing tai Chi in parks and vacant lots.
What makes Tai Chi popular to the ordinary individual is its 24, 40, to 108 moves that are executed in such a way that a degree of concentration and physical effort is required. Doing these forms can be compared to doing a high quality exercise or aerobics. These make Tai Chi a great exercise regimen. Though Tai Chi has lost its combat feature, it has gained a number of practical uses. It became a valuable art form to those who seek a healthy body. With this kind of application, Tai Chi turned into an art both young and old can enjoy.
| < Prev |
|---|
