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Origins
Origins
Tai Chi (太極, Taiji) emerged from Daoist philosophy and Chinese martial arts. The term Taiji refers to the dynamic interplay of yin and yang—soft and firm, stillness and movement, yielding and strength. Over centuries, Tai Chi evolved into a martial art, a health practice, and a moving meditation.
Key Words & Meanings
Key Words & Meanings
Tai (太) — great, vast, ultimate
Ji (極) — the ridgepole, the pivot, the point of balance
Together, Taiji means the great balancing principle—the harmony of opposites in continuous transformation.
Quan (拳) — fist or martial art
So Taijiquan means the martial art based on the principles of Taiji.
What Tai Chi Looks Like Today
What Tai Chi Looks Like Today
Tai Chi is practiced worldwide for:
Balance, stability, and fall prevention
Joint health and whole‑body coordination
Stress reduction and mental clarity
Healthy aging and gentle strength
Mindful movement and meditative awareness
Martial Art
It is slow, deliberate, and accessible to all levels.
Common Tai Chi Forms
Common Tai Chi Forms
At Still Mountain, we teach:
Tai Chi for Health programs (Dr. Paul Lam)
Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention
Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis
Additional Tai Chi for Health Institute forms
Yang 24 (Beijing Form) — a widely practiced, accessible short form
Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan
Shi San Shi (13 foundational energies)
Duans 1–3 of the 127‑movement long form
Introductory push‑hands (tui shou)
Related neigong and meditative practices
Each form emphasizes clarity, balance, and the principles of whole‑body movement.
How Tai Chi Relates to Taijiquan
How Tai Chi Relates to Taijiquan
Tai Chi and Taijiquan are two names for the same art. “Tai Chi” is the familiar English term most people recognize, especially in health and community settings. “Taijiquan” is the full traditional name, meaning “the martial art based on the principles of Taiji.” In practice, Tai Chi emphasizes slow, mindful movement for balance, strength, and ease, while Taijiquan refers to the complete art, including its martial roots, principles, and lineage forms. Both names are correct—they simply highlight different aspects of the same tradition. At Still Mountain, we honor the full depth of Taijiquan while teaching Tai Chi in a way that is accessible, health‑focused, and grounded in the principles that make the art so transformative.
Tai Chi and Taijiquan are two names for the same art. “Tai Chi” is the familiar English term most people recognize, especially in health and community settings. “Taijiquan” is the full traditional name, meaning “the martial art based on the principles of Taiji.” In practice, Tai Chi emphasizes slow, mindful movement for balance, strength, and ease, while Taijiquan refers to the complete art, including its martial roots, principles, and lineage forms. Both names are correct—they simply highlight different aspects of the same tradition. At Still Mountain, we honor the full depth of Taijiquan while teaching Tai Chi in a way that is accessible, health‑focused, and grounded in the principles that make the art so transformative.
How Tai Chi Relates to Qigong
How Tai Chi Relates to Qigong
Tai Chi and Qigong share the same philosophical roots and many of the same movements. Their relationship can be understood simply:
Qigong builds the internal foundation
Tai Chi expresses that foundation through structured movement
Qigong is like learning the alphabet; Tai Chi is writing poetry with it.
At Still Mountain, both arts support one another, helping students move with steadiness, confidence, and ease.
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