Taijiquan is one of the three Internal martial arts. The other two being Xing I Quan and Ba Gua Zhang. It is a characterised by soft relaxed movements performed at a relatively slower speed than other martial arts. There are several styles of Taijiquan derived from the teachings of different teachers. It has become one of the most popular forms of martial arts in the world today.
How many styles of Taijiquan are there?
There are five main styles of Taijiquan that are generally recognised traditionally. They are the Chen style, Yang style, Wu Jian Quan style, Wu Yu Xiang style and Sun style of Taijiquan. They are named after their founders and have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from each other. There are also myrid substyles and smaller styles which do not have as large a following as the major styles. Recently Zhao Bao style has also been recognised as a major style of Taijiquan.
Who founded the Taijiquan and the major styles?
There is much controversy surrounding founder of Taijiquan. At the moment all we can say is that there is no conclusive evidence to categorically say who founded it. There are several origin theories but none can are conclusive due to the lack of evidence. The Chen style is allegedly developed by Chen Wang Ting though it was earlier said to be developed by Chen Pu. The Yang style was developed by Yang Lu Chan who was nicknamed ‘Yang the Invincible’. The Wu Yu Xiang style was founded by Wu Yu Xiang who learnt Yang style and Zhao Bao style. The Wu Jian Quan style is derived by Quan Yu from the Yang style small frame which was taught in the imperial court. Sun style was developed by Sun Lu Tang who learnt Wu Yu Xiang style and was also a master of Xing I Quan and Ba Gua Zhang. Zhao Bao style was founded by Jiang Fa who allegedly taught Taijiquan to the Chen family which developed Chen style.
Why is Taijiquan considered an internal art?
Taijiquan is considered an internal martial art because of its focus on training the three internal aspects of Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy) and Shen (spirit). It is also classified as such because of its emphasis on using calm to negate violence and its soft relaxed nature.
What is the syllabus of Taijiquan?
In general, the form (s) are taught first and then followed by push hands and various weapons forms. Sometimes supplemental training is given before the form is learnt to build up a firm foundation.
What are the weapons of Taijiquan?
Traditionally there are three weapons, the sword, the sabre, the spear/long staff. There are some styles that teach many weapons like the double sword, two headed spear, etc.
Where can I learn Taijiquan?
Taijiquan is now taught in many parts of the world. You can sometimes find instruction in the parks in the morning where Taijiquan exponents gather to practice. There are also professional schools that teach the art as well as classes held in community centres and other social organisations.
Is there an age limit?
There is no age limitation for the practice of Taijiquan.
Is Taijiquan solely a combat art?
No, Taijiquan can be practiced for both combat as well as health benefits. Its mode of practice makes it suitable for all ages and some countries have recognised it as a health therapy. The correct practice of Taijiquan brings results both health-wise as well as combat-wise.
How do I find a good teacher?
Before going on to search for instruction, it is always good to find out something of the art so that you can make a general assessment about the quality of the instruction. A good guideline is to visit the prospective schools and see how the instruction is carried out. Some schools also let you have a free lesson to help you decide if the classes are right for you. The instructor should be knowledgeable, open and you should feel comfortable with him. As Taijiquan can be taught for both health as well as combat, it is a good idea to find out which is the focus of the school so that it is in line with your own orientation.
What are the Taijiquan Classics?
The Taijiquan Classics are a body of writings from founders and noted practitioners of the art that are generally acknowledged as containing the essence of the art. They contain the theories, principles and practices that pertain to the successful mastering of the art.
What are the 13 Postures?
This is an alternate name for the art of Taijiquan. Taijiquan has as its foundation 13 basic postures patterned after the 8 trigrams (Ba Gua) and the Five Elements (Wu Xing). They are Peng (Ward-off), Lu (Rollback), Ji (Press), An (Push), Tsai (Pluck), Lieh (Split), Chou (Elbow Stroke), Kao (Shoulder Stroke), Jing (Forward), Tui (Back), Zhuo Gu (Guard The Left), Yu Pan (Watch The Right) and Zhong Ding (Central Equilibrium).
It is important that you do not learn the form as just a choreographed routine, a clear understanding of the application as well as the rationale and requirements of the form is needed for progress in the art. In all aspects of the art, understand the underlying rationale. This can be achieved by asking your teacher and also reading up works concerning the art such as this FAQ and books on the art. Discussing and sharing information with fellow practitioners is also a good way of gaining insights and knowledge concerning the practice of the art.
What is sung?
Sung is a Chinese term that can be loosely translated as ‘relaxed’. It is very important to be relaxed but not limp in the practice of Taijiquan. This ensures that efficient motion with no retained force which shows up as tension is present in the movements of the form.
What are the physical requirements for Taijiquan?
The head must be suspended, the upper back raised, the chest hollowed, the shoulders rounded, the elbows sunk, the inguinal region (kwa) open, the body relaxed, the sacrum tucked and raised, the hands naturally open and slightly spread, the centre of gravity lowered, breathing is natural and even.
Do I need to warm up before practice?
Before proceeding with any sort of physical exercise, it is always wise to warm up the muscles of the body first and to stretch them sufficiently.
What is the role of the mind in the performance of Taijiquan?
The Taijiquan Classics state that the mind is the commander. That is that the mind’s focus and concentration is the motivating factor in all Taijiquan movements. The performance of Taijiquan is a much a mental exercise as it is a physical exercise.
What is the root?
The root is the point where the mass of the body seems to act against gravity and is a direct path from the centre of mass of the body to the ground. What is substantial and insubstantial in Taijiquan?
Substantial means the presence of strength and insubstantial means the absence of it.
What is double weighting?
Double weighting is to substantial in both feet or both hands in general, this is contradictory to the proper practice of Taijiquan. It is an obstacle to agility and the quick changing of substantiality and insubstantiality that is allows one to quickly adapt to an opponent’s attack or counter.
How should one step in Taijiquan?
As the Classics state, like a cat. Lightly but stablely. In general, stepping forward, land the heel first and then the rest of the foot and in stepping back land the toes first and then the rest of the foot. There are postures that require you to put the whole foot down at the same time.
How should one breathe in Taijiquan?
Natural abdomenal breathing is the breathing that we start with in Taijiquan. This increases lung capacity, lowers the centre of gravity, messages the organs in the abdomenal cavity and stimulates digestion. Above all, in Taijiquan, the breath should not be forced. It should be slow, even and natural. Later as one progresses and one begins to exert the body internally, the breathing will naturally become what is termed ‘reverse’ breathing in which the abdomen expands when exhaling and contracts on inhaling, similar when we exert physically when pushing a heavy object. The advice of some masters is to not worry about co-ordinating the breath with the movements in the postures and let the breathing set in on its own naturally. As long as one is breathing deeply in to the abdomen and naturally in a even unhurried pace, it is a good enough beginning.
What is silk reeling?
In the majority of the lineages, and in their associated Classics, the strength in Taijiquan is used like pulling silk, which is neither too hurried or too slow but precisely right and in a continuous fashion. In Chen style Taijiquan, Silk Reeling/Coiling Strength is the primary strength and this is where the resultant strength is formed by the coiling and rotation of the different joints of the body working in co-ordination.
What is fa-jing?
This is an emission/explosion of strength. It should be noted that the ability to fa-jing does not denote ability in the whole art of Taijiquan as it is an art where the lesser strength beats the greater one.
What is Jing?
There are two Chinese terms that can be transliterated like that. One denotes the reproductive essence of the body and the other the refined strength which is focused and efficient.
What is Push Hands?
It is a two man practice where each tries to detect and control the other’s centre of mass and where possible uproot him. It puts into practice the physical and mental abilities that are trained in the form and trains sensitivity to the opponent and to one’s own structure and centre. There is fixed stance Push Hands and moving step Push Hands and also a more advanced practice called Da Lu (Great Rollback). Both normal Push Hands and Da Lu can be practiced in an unfixed manner as well at advanced levels.
What is uprooting?
Uprooting occurs when both the opponent’s feet leave the ground in an attack. It denotes that the centre of mass has been effectively targeted so that the opponent is discharged bodily as a whole. In correct targeting due to incorrect focus or incorrect generation of power does not result in uprooting.
What are the techniques in Push Hands?
Push Hands uses the first 4 techniques of the 13 postures, namely Peng (Ward-off), Lu (Rollback), Ji (Press) and An (Push). These 4 techniques counter each other and are used in cycles during practice. There are several variations in the stepping methods used in the non-fixed stance methods and variations also occur between teachers teaching the same style.
What is Da Lu?
Da Lu or Great Rollback is a form of push hands that practiced after learning the first 4 techniques in normal Push Hands. Da Lu puts into practice the last four techniques of Tsai (Pluck), Lieh (Split), Chou (Elbow Stroke) and Kao (Shoulder Stroke) and like normal Push Hands is practiced in a counteracting cycle. Da Lu teaches also that a retreat is also an attack.
What is San Shou?
San shou or Scattering Hands (better translated as Sparring Hands) is the practical application of the techniques of Taijiquan in a fixed or unfixed combative fashion. San Shou can be practiced in a set, as couplets inserted into free style Push Hands (San Tui Shou) or as free style San Shou.
What is neigong/neijing?
Neigong or nei jing is translated as internal work or internal strength. It is a result of training the internal aspects. Internal work is the training to train the internal aspects of the body in order to develop internal strength. Internal strength is noted to be able to make the body more durable against attacks and to supplement the normal mode of generating force.
Chang San Feng was a Taoist living on Wudang mountain who is credited with the founding of the internal boxing tradition. There is much legend surrounding his life but there is sufficient evidence to indicate that such a person did exist although it is unlikely that he created Taijiquan in its present forms.
Who is Chen Wang Ting?
He is credited with founding the Chen style of martial arts by combining 29 of the 32 postures from the book written by General Qi Ji Kwang a renowned Ming Dynasty General, with Taoist Tu Na (swallow and spit) arts. Attributions to him are of late origin and because the Chen village did practice other arts, it is not certain that he did found the art as it exists in its present state.
Who is Chen Chang Xin?
He was a Taijiquan master who taught Yang Lu Chan. He is supposed to have gained the art through Jiang Fa who modified his harder Chen style Pao Chui (Cannon Fist) by including elements of internal boxing and so creating Taijiquan. He was nicknamed ‘Ancestral Tablet’ because he always kept his body erect.
Who is Yang Lu Chan?
He was the founder of the most popular Yang style of Taijiquan. He studied his art from Chen Chang Xing and later went to Beijing to teach it in the Imperial Court and was the one to bring Taijiquan into prominance. It is said that the art was named thus during his time in the Capital City. He had two nicknames, ‘Yang the Invicible’ because he was never defeated in combat and ‘Eight Lords’ because he had 8 Imperial Princes as his patrons.
Who is Quan Yu?
He was the father of Wu Jian Quan and the founder of the Wu Jian Quan style of Tajiquan. He studied under Yang Lu Chan and his son Yang Ban Hou and learnt the small frame of Yang Taijiquan which was taught in the Imperial Court. He was one of Yang Lu Chan’s top students and is said to have gained his master’s skill in neutralising.
Who is Wu Yu Xiang?
He was a the founder of the Wu Yu Xiang style of Taijqiuan. He studied under Yang Lu Chan and also Chen Qing Ping for 40 days, learning Zhao Bao Taijiquan. His style is a result of input from both parent styles. His two brothers studied with him. His brother discovered the Salt Store manual of Wang Tsung Yueh containing Wang’s Taijiquan Classic.
Who is Li I Yu?
He is the earliest and one of the principle recorders of the Taijiquan Classics. He learnt the art from his uncle, Wu Yu Xiang and produced 3 handwritten manuals. His material is the main corpus from which the present day collection of Classics is based upon.
Who is Sun Lu Tang?
He was a master of all three internal martial arts. He learnt his Taijquan from Hao Wei Zhen of the Wu Yu Xiang style and added input from Xing I Quan and Ba Gua Zhang to develop his own unique style.
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