This is a tricky question because it means different things to different people.
In practice it is a series of movements, form and exercises that transform the mind and body and act as a vehicle for martial arts and/or spiritual development.
However nowadays some schools focus purely on its martial aspects where as others focus on the health, meditative and spiritual aspects which is my preference.
The history of Tai Chi is not generally agreed upon however there are some common themes. The art is thought to date back to around the 12th century in China and a Taoist adept named Chang San Feng who developed martial forms mixed with internal alchemy practises to transform the mind, energy and spirit (Yi, Chi and Shen).
There is also evidence that Tai Chi utilises a number of teachings named the Yi Jin Jing which were brought into China around 500 AD by the Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma.
Later the art was developed by the Chen and Yang families who became famous in China for their fighting prowess.
My opinion is that Tai Chi was not developed solely for fighting or self defence however it became used for this purpose by many due to the qualities that it builds into the practitioner such as strength, flexibility and a calm mind.
Tai Chi can be practised according to the needs and goals of the practitioner. Some will focus on healing and health aspects, some will focus on the aesthetic beauty making the art more dance like and others will practise for self defence.
Tai Chi is an absolutely vast art with deeper and deeper levels to explore. There are generally no belts to earn or ranks to achieve however there are many skills to develop and the health benefits alone keep most interested for many years.
The internal energy aspects are particularly prominent in Tai Chi . Through the cultivation of one’s energy or ‘chi’ it is possible to increase the function of the internal organs improving health and vitality. Martially speaking the body becomes more robust to falls, strikes and injury.
Two mental aspects that Tai Chi cultivates are ‘sung’ (release or letting go) and ‘ting’ (listening skill) as one progressively learns to absorb their awareness deeper into the body. This aspect of the art can be deepened through seated meditation practice or standing nei gong postures. 🌅🙏
