TAIJIQUAN (Tai Chi) is one in every of the rich cultural heritage of China. Many tales are told about its origin, one amongst which says that about 800 years ago there was a specific elixir maker named Zhang Sanfeng who lived within the Wu-dang Mountains. One night he dreamt that he was taught Chinese boxing by Great Emperor Xuan Wu, after which he went about disseminating the art among the folk. Thus, taijiquan was said to possess been presented by a deity and handed down by supernatural beings hardly plausible stories.
Beginning of Taijiquan
What at that point is that the beginning of Taijiquan (Tai Chi)?. From accessible verifiable information, apparently taijiquan (Tai Chi) was first originated in Chenjiagou, Wenxian County in Henan Province, somewhere in the range of 300 years back inside the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Among the representative figures who made outstanding contributions was Chen Wangting, a garrison commander in Wenxian County. In subsequent years foreign invasions and domestic peasant uprisings stimulated the diffusion of martial arts among the people, by which period a replacement variety of boxing had evolved. While previous boxing styles emphasized quick movements and powerful, vigorous punches, this new style followed the principles of “subduing the vigorous by the soft, “adapting oneself to the design of others” and “overcoming a weight of 1,000 catties by four ounces”. energetic while others were gentle, some rapid while others slow, and one movement followed another in uninterrupted rhythmic harmony, sort of a flowing stream. As this sort of boxing consisted of eight primary hand postures and five major changeable postures, it had been initially called “13 Forms. long, like an endless flow of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, it had been also called Changquan (Long Boxing). the age-old boxing manuals of 13 Forms and Changquan, many of which are well preserved, it is seen that much of their contents were almost like the Quanjing (Boxing Text) written by Qi Jiguang (1528-1587), a famous general of the Ming, who had collected an
Late within the 18th century, a teacher and great master of martial arts Wang Zongyue methodically summarized this new boxing style and related his discoveries to the exemplary Chinese way of thinking of” yin “and “yang” “(which means the 2 restricting standards in nature, the past feminine and negative, the latter masculine and positive). Up until 100 years ago, taijiquan was practiced mainly within the countryside of Henan Province. In 1852, Yang Luchan (1799 1872) of Hebel Province brought taijiquan with him to Bei- jing and thereafter it spread rapidly throughout China.
Evolution of movements
In the past century, Taijiquan (Tai Chi) underwent even more changes with its movements tending to be more relaxed, smooth, even, and graceful like floating clouds and flowing streams. Much explosive strength moves disappeared, as did excessive foot stamping. As a result, taijiquan became fashionable men and girls, young and old alike. Increasing attention was also paid to the health building and therapeutic value of taijiquan during this era.
In the process of its development, Taijiquan (Tai Chi) gradually evolved into many various styles. Yang school was the most well-liked. Systematized by Yang Chengfu (1883-1936), grandson of Yang Luchan, its main characteristic [features postures, slow and also smooth motions, light but steady movements, and curved, flowing lines of performance. The Yang school was given the name “Da Jia “(” big frame “).
The school with the longest history was the Chen. Retaining the old-styled practice which was popular in Chenjiagou, Henan Province, this style contained vigorous yet as gentle movements. With hops, jumps, and blasts of solidarity, the exhibition followed a roundabout way. The Chen school was known by the name “Lao Jia “(*” old frame “).
The Sun school of taijiquan was developed by Sun Lutang (1861-1932). Originally a pupil of Hao Weizhen, Sun created a mode of his own with dexterous and nimble movements performed at a fast tempo and with lively footwork one which gave rise to the name “Huobu Jion (” lively pace frame “).
These five schools are the most important sorts of taijiquan (naturally there are subdivisions under each school). Although each of the five has characteristic features of its own, they share the subsequent essentials:
Subsequent Essentials
First, the body is of course extended and relaxed, giving priority to lissomness. While exercising, performers must keep their trunks straight, move them with ease and lightness, and hold them steady throughout. Some classic treatises have described their motions thus: “While making a step, it’s as tranquil as a catwalk, “and “while advancing quality, the effort is gentle to such an extent that it resembles rolling out crude silk from a cover. 1ike mists drifting inside the sky, are nimble and lightweight, however even and consistent. Movement is even and liquid, the muscles neither hardened nor unbending. Breathing ought to be profound and even, and very much planned with opening and closing move-The developments, While practicing Taijiquan (Tai Chi), the necessity of litheness and naturalness doesn’t mean that the performance may be loose and lifeless. Rather, it’s vital to com-bine vigor and gentleness, and properly put forth strength neither inertness nor rigidity is allowed.
Secondly, the mind is tranquil but alert, with consciousness commanding the body. In practicing taijiquan, it’s essential that movements be guided by consciousness which there be stillness in movement ness and motion. So, taijiquan requires a mixture of coaching one’s physique, one’s will, and one’s breathing. As a high degree of concentration is emphasized, quality movements are ensured and physiological functions are regulated. that’s why some people liken taijiquan to “physical exercises of consciousness” or “therapeutic barehand exercises,
“Thirdly, body movements are well coordinated throughout the whole exercise period. Taijiquan requires that the hands, eyes, body, and limbs perform as a full, with the legs as a base and therefore the waist because of the axis. Though the movements are gentle and slow. each part of the body is in constant motion. Performers should never act as a puppet; they need to never focus their attention only on the hands while neglecting the movements of the waist and legs. In fact, while practicing taijiquan, the most weight-bearing parts are the waist and legs. The chief characteristic feature of taijiquan is that movement is initiated from a half squatting position throughout the exercise.
After the founding of recent China, taijiquan has undergone unprecedented development. workers and medical personnel in China have collected and studied various schools of taijiquan and special hanging charts, books, and musical compositions that are published. In 1956, a simplified set of taijiquan supported the foremost popular sequences of the Yang school was issued. This series consists of 24 forms that progress logically from the simple to the difficult, and pause minutes- to finish.
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