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"The entire body must be relaxed, loose, and open so that Qi, the vital
energy, can flow through it without hindrance. This is the essential principle of Taiji, both as a health exercise and as a
self-defense system."
(Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing, book source: page 24, Es gibt keine Geheimnisse, Kolibri Verlag, 1993, Taschenbuch, 181 pages, ISBN 3-928288-05-9) |
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Taiji is the calmness in motion. What is Taiji? Taijiquan, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chuan, etc., is a traditional Chinese martial art (shadow boxing) and belongs to the family of so-called internal martial arts. These include armed and unarmed variants of close combat. A combination of the strongest and most effective fighting techniques of ancient China, coupled with serenity and the cultivation of inner alignment, produces, on the one hand, highly dangerous athletic fighting skills and, on the other hand, sometimes indestructible health, which we will discuss in more detail under the heading of health. From a spiritual perspective, there is also, through deep serenity and inner centeredness, an alignment of the mind at the highest level, i.e. the emergence of a closed spiritual principle. Inner strength and harmony paired with physical relaxation and the focus on giving in, and not like other martial arts of aggressive fighting and attack, Taiji is a balanced (martial) sport which, in my view, represents a highest form of experience from a multi-purpose perspective. In Chinese medicine, Taiji is indispensable; it combines 5 aspects: meditation, breathing therapy, physical gymnastics, psychotherapy, and acupuncture into one. These lines serve only as a brief introduction and explanation of what Taiji is. If you are interested in more information, please feel free to browse the sections below. An ancient Chinese text says: Those who practice Taiji daily receive: The suppleness of a toddler, the serenity of a wise person and the health of a woodcutter. |