TAI CHI CHUAN

Taijiquan

DE GUZMAN |
SHAVUKA
Taijiquan is described as a traditional Chinese form of
exercise derived from martial arts folk traditions.
 “The universe was initially without
life. The world had just cooled down
from its fiery creation and all was
foggy and blurry, without
differentiation or separation, with
no extremities or ends.”

Chinese Daoist Scripture

What is Taiji?

“It is generated from wuji and is

a pivotal function of movement
and stillness. It is the mother of
yin and yang. When it moves, it
divides. At rest it reunites.”
● Standing still
- State of Wuji
- State of formlessness
- The mind should be quiet,
peaceful, and centered
- Body is relaxed, with no
intention
● Generating the intention to start
● State of Taiji
● Shifting side to side, foot to foot
● Taijiquan form is the intention or the
motivation generated from the mind
that causes yin and yang to be
discriminated. Art of the Mind

Scientific Basis
● Figure:
○ Circle and curved dividing line
- yin and yang are generated
and contained in roundness
○ Smooth dividing line - yin and
yang means that they interact
smoothly and efficiently
● Diagram:
○ One evolves into the other and
back again.
○ Small dot - a little bit of yang
inside the greatest
concentration of yin and v.v.

Scientific Basis
● There is no absolute yin or yang
● There is a seed or source of yin in
yang and of yang in yin.

● Theory:
○ Smooth, continuous, and
round
○ It can be soft, and hard when
it is necessary

Scientific Basis
Taijiquan Treatise
13 postures
 Guidelines
gu

● Focus
● Maintain a natural
posture
● Notice your breathing
● Relaxed
● Move slowly
● Separate your weight
● Move from your center
Health outcomes
Why Tai Chi is Good for Your Health

● Nervous system –very calming

and soothing effect on the nerves
● Musculoskeletal system –
increases blood circulation, and
heal injuries to muscles, tendons,
and ligaments.
● Cardiopulmonary system –
increases oxygenation to all
tissues
● Immune system– stimulates
lymphatic drainage, which
strengthens immunity and
resistance to sickness.
 Tai Chi is Good At Any Age!
● Children
● Teens
● Adults
● Seniors
● EVERYONE

Health outcomes
 ● Learn from an experienced instructor
● Start gradually
● Warm up
● Know your limitations
● Pregnant women
● People with joint &/ back pains
● fractures

Precautions
 Knee angle in semi squat position
● Higher position - 150°
● Lower position - 120° (requires more energy)

Style of TCC
● Chen - 6 minutes (demands higher energy)
● Yang - 17 minutes
● Simplified 24 form - 5 minutes

Techniques
Chen Style Taijiquan 56 form

● distinctive rhythm and the magnificent

postures
● emphasize on the “spiral twisting force”
● relaxing, agility and springing

Function:
1. It must be good for health and healing
2. It must be effective for self defense
Simpified 24 form

● Most popular tai chi forms

● School, fitness club,
community, and
recreational center, or local
parks
Yang Style Tai Chi

● To learn the subtlety of the

use of internal force and
power, one must learn the
mind approach of the
internal power
 ● Physical education (simplified)
● Physical fitness and capacity for self defense
● Homeostasis
● Appropriate forms of exercise among elderly
people
○ Decline in organ function
○ Joint degeneration
○ Poor eyesight and balance
○ Loss of stamina

Uses and Cultural Applications

 ● Only for old people
● It’s boring
● Time consuming
● Tai Chi is a religion

Public Misconceptions
References
● https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/35/3/148.short
● https://www.taichibodyandmind.co.uk/news/tai-chi-qi-gong-5-common-myths-
and-misconceptions/
● https://ymaa.com/articles/2013/05/what-is-taijiquan
● https://dochenstyletaichi.com/why-do-chen-style-tai-chi/