HISTORY, TRADITIONS & THEORIES OF TAI-CHI

 

Tai-Chi describes a way of life and a system of healing and exercise which combines physical training (martial art) with spiritual growth and mental discipline. Its history can be traced back to India and the development of Buddhism circa 500BC.

The philosophies of this practise became very popular and were embraced throughout the East, including China.

Tai Chi Chuan (Supreme Ultimate Boxing) developed in the Shao-lin monastery in Henan Province in Northern China approximately 1500 years ago. It grew out of the desire of the monks to become spiritually evolved through the philosophies of Buddhism and Taoism, whilst at the same time needing to defend themselves from the threat of bandits and nomads.

Although Tai Chi Chuan has been practiced for over 1500 years, in the past only noblemen could learn the art from the Daoist monks. This changed in the 18th century when a researcher and martial artist, Wang Zongyue of Shanxi, passed through a village owned by the Zhen Family in Henan Province and demonstrated the art of Tai Chi. His demonstration had such an effect on the Zhen family that he was asked to stay in the village and teach "his" art. In this way, the first recorded passing on of Tai Chi was achieved.

Since then, Tai Chi has been practiced in all corners of the world. The most popular style of Tai Chi taught today in the Wetsren world is Yang style, after the family name. Cheng Man Ch'ing (1900-1975) is largely credited as being the greatest master of Yang style in the modern world. Cheng developed the short Tang form, which is a concise, and shortened form. It contains the most basic principles and movements that are of great benefit to health and well-being.

 

Tai-Chi Timeline

 

Roots - B.C

Chinese history is known to start in at least 2000 B.C, Even at this time observations of life were kept. This lead to the foundation of Tai-Chi.

Ideas - Yin & Yang, change, balance, eight directions(ba- gua), five elements.

Natural health movements - Chi Kung, acupuncture.

Martial movements - Fighting animals and other tribes.

 

500 B.C - 500 A.D

In this time the information that was recorded was divided up into a few different perspectives.

Lao Tzu (Taoism) - Nature and imagination, freedom. Confucius (Confucianism) - Rules for social and government.

Da Mo (Buddhism) - Spiritual, meditation.

Hua Tuo (Medical Scientist) - Combined 5 elements with the 5 animals of the Chi Kung.

 

500 - 1200 A.D

These perspectives were spread to different areas and through travelling each school would borrow and blend with each other to create many different ways and styles of living. However, certain areas were connected with each school.

Taoism - Wudang, central China.

Confucianism - mainly the cities and richer areas.

Buddhism - Shaolin temple, Northern China Chi Kung - everywhere.

 

1200 - 1900 A.D

Tai-Chi proper is said to have been created by a Taoist called Chang Sang Feng around this time. It was passed down through several generations until a travelling mong called Jiang Fa taught the Chen Family the style. The Chen Family kept it in their family until the mid 1800's when it was thought to Lang Lu Chan then founded the Yang style. The Yang style is the most popular today, mainly because the family taught outside of the family, and Yang Cheng Fu taught in many of the main Cities of China in the early 1900's.

 

1900 - Present Day

Tai Chi has spread worldwide, mainly with a student of the Yang family called Man-Ching, who taught in America and wrote books on the theories & practice. Also, the Chinese government created and popularised a competitive form of Tai-Chi known as the 24 step. They have since created other longer forms to blend all the styles although the framework is mainly Yang style.