The Art of Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese martial art and at the same time a philosophical path. Being an elaborate and skillful self-defense art is however a simple natural practice. Next we will learn more about Tai Chi Chuan, what it is, what it is for, and how it is practiced, among other interesting curiosities:

What is Tai Chi Chuan?

Called by the ancient masters as "chuan," or "graceful," the art of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is unique in the world and is an integral part of the ancient Chinese culture.

It is a martial art of Taoist orientation composed by several ancient exercises based on the techniques of breathing and concentration. Made up of a set of graceful and gentle physical exercises, Tai Chi Chuan combines Yin (Earth, Moon, Female, Negative) with Yang (Sky, Sun, Male, Positive).

What is Tai Chi Chuan for?

Tai Chi Chuan serves to help people be physically and mentally healthier by developing mental concentration and tranquility. This philosophy of life provides a level of relaxation capable of overcoming difficulties of the whole order in a truly astonishing way.

Through the practice of this Chinese martial art people acquire greater body perception, flexibility, overcome muscular rigidity and adopt a calm attitude in the face of complicated and stressful situations of daily life.

Another of the benefits of practicing Tai Chi Chuan is the huge calorie loss it provides. Only an hour of Tai Chi Chuan burns more calories than surfing for the same amount of time, and almost as many as skiing. Even without having to expend much physical effort, unlike other sports in the Western world, Tai Chi Chuan guarantees weight loss and provides a leaner and healthier body.

Who can practice it?

Because of the simplicity and the little physical effort it requires, Tai Chi Chuan can be practiced by anyone, no matter the sex, strength, or age of the practitioner.

Many of the most fervent practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan are elderly people who find these exercises an accessible way to keep themselves exercised. Also the young people are adepts of Tai Chi Chuan that despite the slow movements is full of vigor and good energies.

However it is always a good strategy to make sure that you are fit to practice Tai Chi Chuan, or any other modality that involves physical exercise.

If you are pregnant, if you have bone fractures, joint or spine problems, or if you suffer from heart, you should check with your physician about the feasibility of practicing Tai Chi Chuan.

Do not forget that you can choose a softer style of Tai Chi Chuan, where you ask for less effort on your part, if you deem it necessary.

Main rules

There are four main rules of Tai Chi Chuan and you should memorize them to put into practice during learning: Empty, Stillness, Diving and Beauty.

Empty is the term used to indicate that it is absolutely necessary to empty the mind of thoughts during the exercises.

Stillness is the absolute silence or calmness that are imperative to be able to perform the exercises effectively and to keep the spirit quiet.

Diving is the concentration required during the power-maintenance exercise in the mind.

Smoothness designates the state of mildness that the body must adopt so that the muscles are easily free of tension.

By scrupulously following the 4 rules mentioned Tai Chi Chuan practitioners attain a serene rest and a stable temperament, characteristics that are capable of enhancing optimism and tranquility of mind.

Techniques employed

There are four different groups of techniques that are used in Tai Chi Chuan and that aim to maximize the practice of all exercises: Learn how to master breathing, learn how to master movements, be able to find the right classes and finally become one, Become an authentic professional.

1. Breathing

The way you breathe is fundamental in Tai Chi Chuan. Like Jujutsu, it is through breathing that you work all the muscles of the body and that you achieve the state of mental concentration. Breathing slowly and deeply while maintaining the notion of air entering and exiting the whole body will put the person in an ideal state to proceed with the remaining exercises.

2. Master the movements

The movements in Tai Chi Chuan are light and graceful and require perfect mastery. To achieve such perfection one must concentrate on all parts of the body, one part at a time until one has the notion of the whole body.

The trick is to think of every detail of your body and feel the concentration take over your mind. Imagining yourself as having roots that are born on tiptoe and branching all over your body helps to maintain focus and balance.

Moving your arms like branches in the wind, in more or less expansive movements, without fear or hesitation brings the feeling of rooting so fundamental in Tai Chi Chuan.

But it is good that the practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan is not convinced that this practice is limited to moving the arms freely. It is crucial not to forget that it is an age-old martial art, and that the purpose of each movement was defense.

3. Find the right classes

First and foremost is it necessary for each practitioner to decide which branch of Tai Chi Chuan to develop: health or martial arts?

Tai Chi Chuan can be taught in different ways depending on the goals of each practitioner. Clarify the goals you want to achieve with this practice and then find the right teacher for you.

If you can try to learn as many Tai Chi Chuan techniques as possible, no matter what you want to achieve through these exercises.

There are more than 100 movements that you can explore and the spiritual concentration as well as the mental domain are always assured whatever the Tai Chi Chuan slope you choose.

4. Becoming a professional

The technique of becoming professional in Tai Chi Chuan does not develop from one day to the next. From the 12 weeks onwards the positive results begin to happen continuously, but by then you will have to have patience and above all a lot of commitment.

It takes at least 12 weeks to visibly notice the benefits of practicing Tai Chi Chuan. The longer you practice Tai Chi Chuan the better the results will be and the more skilled you will become.

Some people who are very experienced in this practice are able to perform exercises even in their workplace, as a way to calm down and fight situations of great stress.

How to recognize a good teacher of Tai Chi Chuan?

Tai Chi Chuan teachers do not have degrees or written qualifications that they can show, so the best way to identify a good teacher in this art is by following your intuition.

Do you feel confident in your teacher?

Do you feel that he explains the exercises in a perceptible and logical way?

Does your teacher satisfy your doubts and support you in the difficulties inherent in the exercises?

Your teacher is modest, does not require "master" treatment, admits that he is still learning and does not consider himself the best teacher in the world?

If so, then let yourself be and make the most of your teacher.