It seems the history of Tai Chi can be traced back to Buddhist and Taoist temples. Though the history is mostly told from a modern perspective of legend, it would appear that many Buddhist and Taoist theories and practices are apparent in the teachings. Some believe that the martial art form was founded by Zhang Sanfeng in the 12th century. Others purport that it was founded by the Chen family in 1820 who then taught it to the Yang family.
It was around that time that the Neo-Confucians were beginning their climb into the intellectual side of Chinese life. As it goes, it is said that he used the breathing principles learned at the temple and combined them with martial art movements. This together formed the founding principles of Tai Chi.
In keeping with the principles of Buddhism and Taoism, Tai Chi was the perfect martial arts for inhabitants of the monastery It is considered a very peaceful, soft and non-violent martial art. It was an excellent way for the monks and others at the monasteries to learn self defense (if they needed to use it) while still maintaining their peaceful ways and all the while toning their body and exercising their mind.
As the Buddhist and Taoist leaders would have it, Tai Chi is martial art that supports a whole health outlook; if the body is healthy, the mind is healthy and if the mind is healthy, the spirit is healthy and so on and so forth.
As time went on, the demand for a less violent and less strenuous martial art became apparent and Tai Chi quickly gained in popularity. Of course, it is more popular today than it ever was before. This recent revolution in the reputation can be attributed to up to date and current health studies that have shown It to medically affect the body in positive ways. Some experts even go so far as to say that it is proven to help reduce and reverse the effects of aging, while other experts only state that Tai Chi is, in fact, medically beneficial to the human being as a whole.
Tai Chi is actually becoming more popular for its health benefits and is being used less and less as a form of martial arts, but the basis remains the same and it will always be rooted in the martial arts. It has become increasingly popular (along with Yoga) among New Age groups and many people both young and old are signing up for classes, many Tai Chi classes are available at New Age centers, clinics, and even some hospitals. This just goes to show that the history of Tai Chi is one that will be indefinitely long lasting.
The Origins of Tai Chi ---------- I've got something pretty remarkable to tell you about. I found out about this awesome way of balancing your mind and body. It's totally unique to me. It's referred to as Tai Chi and finding out about it changed my life. And for the better I can tell you. Practicing this distinctive form of martial arts has given me a sense of well-being and peace I never knew was possible.
This is considered a form of internal martial arts, so if you think it is nothing but strange fighting stances and people talking without their lips moving like in the kung fu films, you should think again. It is not like that. Tai Chi is different, much different and I found it fascinating and very helpful with my stress).
First, I will tell you a little about the background of Tai Chi. The practice of tai Chi can trace its way back for hundreds of years but most modern schools date back to about 1820 and the Chen family. the Chens were the experts and I can tell you they really knew their stuff. Tai Chi is all about relaxation and finding balance within yourself. It uses slow motion moves that I found myself enjoying immensely. Occassionally I wish I could go back in time and learn with the Chen family. They used it primarily as a type of therapy to aid in longevity and health. Consider it as a moving kind of meditation.
There are some main concepts of Tai Chi that you should know about. Understanding that many thought of it as a form of meditation has kept it fun and exciting for me. Not only am I getting excellent physical exercise in by tensing and moving my muscles, but I am also conditioning my mind by concentrating on my breathing and balance. It is such an incredible combination it makes me come back to it, anticipating the practice of it, day after day.
An important idea is the notion that Tai Chi is used for health maintenance. If you are unhealthy in your body or even your head, it is difficult to stand there patiently doing any of these moves. I know from experience I felt uncomfortable going through the motions at first. I wanted to do something more! I felt restricted but that is the point. You must be centered before you can relax.
Another thing Tai Chi does well is the internal act of meditation. By aligning your body and mind as one, it becomes easier to dive into a really incredible type of meditation. I found myself getting deeper and deeper within my mind and relieving my stress better.
The ancient teachers also knew that Tai Chi would be a perfect way for beginners to start to learn martial arts. It may not be the fancy fighting stuff you may be most familiar with, but for me it has become a devotional form of exercise I look forward to daily.
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