What is the Chinese Tai Chi Chuan? Of what value is it to mankind? 

When we learn Tai Chi Chuan, we must first understand what it is.  Tai Chi Chuan is an exercise invented by early sages.  It is a kind of exercise where heaven and man are united as one.  It is a kind of exercise that scientifically nourishes life and philosophically preserves health.  It is an excellent exercise that preserves health and vigour, prevents illness and prolongs life, suitable for the young and old in all walks of life.  It is vastly different from any other form of exercise. 

The majority of other forms of exercise have a bias towards certain sections of the body or the limbs.  They use the brute force of the whole body, or summon forth in one breath all the turbid force of post-natal vitality in making a blind dash to win.  The majority of them have as their object competition or the capture of prizes.  After the exercise, one is drenched in sweat and pants excessively so that much harm is done to the body.  As soon as one stops, one becomes very tired.  It is said, “Excessive speed will harm the chi, excessive perseverance will harm the blood. When both chi and blood are harmed, then the health of the body will also suffer.”  Take the case of most athletes who usually have to retire around the age of 30.  Those forms of exercise are not suitable for the aged, the pregnant, and those with ailments.   

Tai Chi Chuan is an exercise that combines the cosmos and nature as one body. It has yin and yang, and in it resilience there is strength.  In its movements, it is completely in rhythm with the natural course of the universe.  Its movements are continuous like the rise and fall of the waves in the ocean. The different parts of the body move together harmoniously.  As it is said, “Motion and stillness have no beginning.  The changes have no origin.  Now void, now full, it is all very natural and beautiful.”  Old and young, male and female, as well as the sick can all practice it.  During the exercise, the whole body seems to sweat and yet the sweat does not flow. A flow of warmth emanates from the interior to the exterior, spreads all over the body and penetrates the very ends of the nerves.  The skin on the whole body feels as though little insects are creeping all over it. The face feels as though it is covered by a spider’s web.  After the exercise, one feels alert and comfortable, and one’s vigour is increased manifold.  It is truly a great pleasure of life and elixir that rids one of illness and prolongs life. 

The sages of ancient China founded this Tai Chi Chuan on the shape of the Tai Chi diagram, according to the “Li, Qi, Xiang” of the I-Ching.  Chu Shi said, “All the changes within the boundaries of heaven and earth do not go beyond Li, Qi and Xiang”. 

“Xiang” is form.  i.e. the form of Tai Chi.

“Qi” is momentum. i.e. the method of Tai Chi.

“Li” is the profound principle. i.e. the merit and achievement of Tai Chi. 

If the student first learns the form of Tai Chi, then understands the method of Tai Chi, and finally masters the principle of Tai Chi, he will find the way to preserve health and vigour, prevent illness and prolong life.  According to the Tai Chi Diagram, its form is round.  In the middle are the two Yin and Yang fish. Because of this, the external form of each movement in Tai Chi is rounded which is copied from Tai Chi. The two fish of Yin and Yang in the middle of the Tai Chi Diagram represent the two Yin and Yang “chi” of the universe.  Yin is the resilient and Yang is the forceful, and these form the embryo from which is developed the use of the resilient and the forceful in Tai Chi Chuan. 

Tai Chi was originally born of “Wu Ji” (emptiness).  When the universe was first formed, everything was nebulous and undefined. This is called “Wu Ji”.  From “Wu Ji” was born Tai Chi (the ultimate).  From Tai Chi was born “Liang Yi” (two appearances), i.e. the Yin and the Yang.  From “Liang Yi” was born “Si Xiang” (four forms), and from “Si Xiang” was born “BaGua” (eight diagrams). Within this are the five elements from which everything was born.  The activity of growth and decline continues uninterrupted. That is why it is said, “Tai Chi is the original moving force of the entire universe, and Tai Chi Chuan was developed from this basic doctrine.  During the process of achievement in Tai Chi, one starts from “Wu” (nothing) to “Yu” (something), and from “Yu” (something) to “Wu” (nothing).  Its mystical powers now seem apparent and now seem unapparent. The strengths seem now to be present and now absent.  One who achieves the acme of the art enters a mysterious realm.  People are unable to anticipate the movements of your hands or make out the forms of your body.  You advance and return with encircling movements that seem apparent and suddenly concealed.  Unrestricted and unconventional, you achieve the state of self-forgetfulness. This is the Tai Chi Chuan that people aspire to. 

Source: Tai Chi Chuan and Modern Lifestyles Conference booklet, 1996, pp.8-9.