What is Tai Chi?

The author: Chen Xingkun Tai Chi is a treasure in the cultural heritage of our motherland. It can cultivate people's sentiments, prevent diseases, promote health and longevity, and protect the body from violence. These are well-known to all. But as for why it is called Tai Chi Chuan instead of any other form of martial arts, what is the meaning of the two characters "Tai Chi"? Few people know about it. Regarding the issue of the name for Tai Chi Chuan. Mr. Sun Lutang, the founder of "Sun-style Tai Chi Chuan", made a very thorough discussion. In his book "Tai Chi Chuan", he said, "After a person is born with their nature, they inherently possess the vital energy for health preservation. It neither leans forward nor down, neither side by side nor side by side, harmonious but not flowing, reaching the ultimate goodness and perfection. This is the true Yang, which is the so-called harmonious energy." Its energy usually pervades the four body parts and permeates the bones, being everywhere and at all times. The energy inside and outside is one, flowing ceaselessly. Thus, the opening and closing, movement and stillness of the fist are born from this energy, and the subtleties of expansion, extension and contraction arise from it... Opening and closing are like the movement of Yin and Yang in one qi, which is the Taiji one Qi. Taiji is one qi, and one qi is Taiji. ... It is full of vitality and vigor, with everything standing firm. The opening and closing are natural, all within the application of a single point, which is what Tai Chi is all about." From the boundless, Tai Chi is born. Tai Chi is one qi, one qi is the balance of one point, and the balance of one point is the qi of the dantian. When the qi of the dantian is abundant, it is lively, full and flowing, and the movement never stops. It leads to the extension and contraction of the limbs, the rising and falling, the opening and closing, the advancing and retreating, and the looking forward and backward. This is the Tai Chi left to us by our predecessors for health preservation, longevity, defense and fitness. Alas, very few people have grasped this path, and even fewer understand its profound mysteries. Nowadays, many teachers teaching boxing and students learning it only pay attention to its appearance and framework. It threw away the best things inside and became a soulless shell.