HISTORY AND STYLES OF TAICHI

History and styles

There are five major styles of tàijíquán, each named after the Chinese family from which it originated

Chen style (陳氏 of Chen Wangting (1580–1660)

Yang style (楊氏 of Yang Luchan (1799–1872)

Wu Hao style (武氏 of Wu Yuxiang (1812–1880)

Wu style (吳氏of Wu Quanyou (1834–1902) and his son Wu Jianquan (1870–1942)

Sun style (孫氏 of Sun Lutang (1861–1932)

The order of verifiable age is as listed above.

The order of popularity (in terms of number of practitioners) is Yang, Wu, Chen, Sun and Wu/Hao.

The major family styles share much underlying theory, but differ in their approaches to training.

Yang Luchan (1799-1872) The bringer of Tai Chi to the world.

One man brought Yang Tai Chi to the world: a man who rose from child servant to companion of the imperial family; became the adopted son and representive, at a time when it was forbidden to any outsider, to learn the family art of taichi, defeated opponents in the land with such paramount skill and diplomacy that they came, un-humiliated, to learn from him; and unlocked for the whole world this most secret of knowledge.

He was a native of the Yongnian District, in Hebei Province. His family name of Yang, meaning 'poplar tree', symbolises outstanding morality and uprightness; his given name, Luchan, prophetically, means 'the dew of profound meditation'. Born into very poor circumstances, as a young boy he was immersed in the Shaolin martial arts, and when he saw a pharmacy owner in his hometown display remarkable and effortless martial skills in dealing with an aggressive customer, he asked to learn from the man.

Recognising Luchans sincerity and uprightness, the pharmacy owner told him that he was also house teacher to the sons of a great master, Chen Changxin, in his home town in Henan province. He was sent as a servant to the Chen household, where the Chen family art was taught as the exclusive preserve of the clan / family members, only taught in the dark of night within the walls of the family courtyard.

One version tells that for this reason Luchan was not allowed to learn the art, and so he would spy through a gap in the courtyard wall, then practise alone in his room. Eventually he was caught and was ordered to demonstrate what he had learnt against the senior students. Master Chen was deeply impressed by the skill with which he bested them; he chose to reward his genius by teaching him, and so adopted him into the family so that he might learn the secretive family art

Under the tutelage of Chen Changxin, he trained continuously and assiduously for six years, then returned to Yongnian, where he was challenged to a duel and defeated.

He returned to the Chen village for a further six years, returning again to Yongnian during the Chinese New Year, only to be challenged again by a highly skilled martial artist. The match concluded with a draw and Luchan felt he must return for a further six years

This deeply moved Chen, and he decided to teach him the whole of his art.

Luchan was never satisfied with his skill; he continued to study and research until his knowledge and skill brought him great fame. The art he taught, honed and developed by his unrelenting determination to learn to an unprecedented level, now became known as Huaquan (the martial art of neutralisation) and Mianquan (the martial art of cotton-like softness).

Three brothers, scholars of an aristocratic family, invited Luchan to the court at Beijing, where he was asked to become teacher to the princes, and to the Emperor's personal guards, the Manchu Banner Battalion.

Luchan sought to test his skills against the highest all over the land, travelling extensively The invitation to be official instructor to the imperial family was humbling to those who were ousted, and he became a target for challenges by would-be usurpers and the embittered old guard; but although he had to endure endless challenges, his mastery was such that he could neutralise any offensive without harming his opponent. He would find a way to defeat the opponent with such invisible grace that the defeat would not humiliate the challenger; and with great delicacy of word he would belittle his own victories to save the face of his foe, in accord with the highest ethical precepts of traditional Chinese chivalry.

He came to be known by the sobriquet of Yang Wudi 'Yang the Unsurpassable'. In the court at Beijing, the art he taught was finally given the name of Taijiquan 'the martial art of the supreme ultimate' by a poet who observed a demonstration of Luchan's ability.

THE FOUR PILLARS OF TAICHI

About Tai Chi

Tai Chi (correctly spelt Taiji, or fully as Taijiquan) is possibly one of the most effective ways to develop balanced health for the body and the mind.

It develops

Improved overall health

Calmness and focus of mind

Increased energy

Suppleness, strength, co-ordination, balance, and agility

Relaxation and can give freedom from stress

Strengthening of the internal functions of the body, such as the immune system, metabolic functions, and cardiovascular system

Understanding of the body's processes and self-healing

And

Harmony with the natural laws of human life

It is an ancient, time-tested traditional Chinese method of self-development, and is a subtle blend of the most refined Medical, Meditative and Martial knowledge combining self-discipline, graceful movement and effortless power.

Students develop increasing physical and mental skills, as awareness and understanding of all aspects of their self increases. You can learn and practise Tai Chi at your individual pace, and, as there are ever-new levels, throughout the rest of your life. These disciplines rely on a mindful re-discovery of the body to enrich and inspire one's experience of any aspect of life.

Throughout history, Tai Chi has been used by Chinese scholars, monks, sages, artists, intellectuals, emperors and their imperial guards, princes and commoners, because of its extraordinary versatility and proven effectiveness. Whilst drawing from all the strands of Chinese spiritual and philosophical thought, Tai Chi is not tied to any religion or dogma, but is available to any interested student.

Practitioners of yoga, dance or other martial arts often find that the internal and flowing approach of Tai Chi perfectly complements their own training.

How is Tai Chi (Taiji / Taijiquan) practised?

Tai Chi consists of 'Four Pillars' or types of practice, as well as a variety of physical exercises and meditative practices. The Four Pillars are Qigong, Form, Pushing Hands and Application.

Each Pillar develops the ability to coordinate the body, internal energy, and sensitivity to oneself, the space around, and other people, to a higher degree.

Qi Gong is the foundation of Tai Chi, wherein the student learns to move their body and feel their internal energy (Qi), through simple, relatively static movements, and the use of the will (Yi) to guide the energy as it flows through its natural channels (known as jing-luo, or meridians.)

The main exercise used in Tai Chi is called the Form. This is a flowing sequence of movements, lasting from 5 to 20 minutes. The Form very effectively develops physical skill and health, and constitutes a very enjoyable kind of moving meditation. Each movement can be practised at increasing levels of depth as the student develops. There are many variations of the Form within the different Tai Chi lineages and their schools, but they are all derived from the same original Form, and the principles of movement are always the same. Traditional Tai Chi schools nearly always teach the basic, original Long Form, and often a variety of abridged forms for beginners.

More advanced students can learn the two-person Form (San Shou) and the sabre, sword, staff and spear Forms, all of which provide an exciting, artistic and satisfying level to the training.

Pushing Hands (Tui Shou) is a kind of partner exercise, where 2 people develop sensitivity and co-ordination together. This is a very enjoyable, playful and free-flowing kind of exercise.

Application is the most advanced aspect of physical training and in some ways the most rewarding. In application the student explores the deeper subtleties of the Form's movements, in a dynamic fashion with a training partner. Application tests and perfects the student's understanding of the movements, developing high levels of mind-body co-ordination, awareness, sensitivity, and confidence.

As well as the Four Pillars, students practise a variety of exercises to develop key physical skills, and different kinds of meditation to focus the mind, increase self-understanding and develop internal energy.

Tai chi recommended to fight fibromyalgia

Tai chi is as good as - or even better than - aerobic exercise for aiding people with the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia, a study has suggested.

The US trial of 226 adults with the condition showed that those who practised the martial art improved significantly more than those doing aerobic exercise over a 24-week period.

Its low-impact movements mean people of any age or fitness level can take part.

Aerobic exercise is currently a standard treatment for the condition.

But some patients find it hard to do because their symptoms keep changing.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body and can also lead to increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness, memory problems and sleeping difficulties.

Aerobic exercises such as walking, cycling and swimming, together with resistance and strengthening exercises, like lifting weights, are recommended to help people who have been diagnosed.

But this study, published in the British Medical Journal, says the findings suggest "it may be time to rethink what type of exercise is most effective for patients".

"Tai chi mind-body treatment results in similar or greater improvement in symptoms than aerobic exercise, the current most commonly prescribed non-drug treatment," the authors said.

"This mind-body approach may be considered a therapeutic option in the multi-disciplinary management of fibromyalgia."

Tai Chi study 'could help people with dementia'

Lady Gaga halts tour due to 'severe pain'

How I've learned to live in constant pain

The adults taking part in the study had not participated in tai chi or other similar types of complementary and alternative medicine in the previous six months.

Their average age was 52 they had suffered body pain for an average of nine years and 92% of participants were women, with 61% being white.

They were each randomly assigned to either supervised aerobic exercise twice a week for 24 weeks or to one of four supervised tai chi sessions of 12 or 24 weeks, completed once or twice each week.

Changes in their symptom scores were assessed at 12, 24 and 52 weeks and participants continued taking their regular medicines and made their usual visits to their doctors.

Before embarking on the trial, members of the group had to fill in a questionnaire, scoring symptoms like pain intensity, physical function, fatigue, depression, anxiety and overall wellbeing.

While scores improved in all areas, the combined tai chi patients showed significant improvement at the 24-week stage, although there was little difference whether they did it once or twice a week.

The effects of tai chi were consistent across all the instructors and nobody suffered any serious adverse effects.

The researchers did say there were some limitations in their study - participants were aware of their treatment group assignment and attendance at sessions differed between the two forms of exercise.

However, they said that key strengths of their research were that it featured a large and diverse sample of people and had a longer follow-up than previous studies.

A guide to tai chi

Tai chi combines deep breathing and relaxation with flowing movements

Studies have shown that it helps people aged 65 and over to reduce stress, improve posture, balance and mobility and increase leg muscle strength

Some research shows it can reduce the risk of falls

There is some evidence it can improve mobility in the ankle, hip and knee in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Nobody is too old or unfit to take up tai chi

Tai chi is characterised by its slow, graceful, continuous movements - many of which are completed with bent knees in a squat-like position

Source: NHS Choices

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43485851?SThisFB

TAICHI MAKES YOUR BRAIN BIGGER AND IMPROVES YOUR MEMORY

Tai Chi makes your brain bigger and can improve memory and thinking - possibly delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease, claim scientists.

A new study has revealed how elderly people practising Tai Chi - an ancient Chinese form of slow, meditative exercise - just three times a week can boost brain volume and improve memory and thinking.

As the exercise increases mental activity, scientists believe it may be possible to delay the onset of incurable Alzheimer's in pensioners.

Dementia and the gradual cognitive deterioration that precedes it is associated with increasing shrinkage of the brain, as nerve cells and their connections are gradually lost.

Previous research has shown Tai Chi can help relieve stress, improve balance in the elderly and stave of high blood pressure - helping those who suffer from heart disease.

Although scientists know brain volume can be increased in people who participate in aerobic exercise, this is the first study to show a less physical form of working out, like Tai Chi, can have the same results.

Researchers conducted an eight month controlled trial on Chinese seniors, comparing those who practiced Tai Chi three times a week to a group with no intervention.

Participants also had lively discussions three times a week over the same time period, with results showing a similar increase in brain volume and improvements on memory and thinking as those exercising.

Findings also revealed the group who did not participate in Tai Chi showed brain shrinkage over the eight months - consistent with what generally has been observed for elderly people in their 60s and 70s.

The research suggests forms of exercise like Tai Chi, that include an important mental health exercise component, are associated with increased production of brain growth factors like aerobic exercise.

Dr James Mortimer, of the University of South Florida, said: "If this is shown, then it would provide strong support to the concept of 'use it or lose it' and encourage seniors to stay actively involved both intellectually and physically.

"The ability to reverse this trend with physical exercise and increased mental activity implies that it may be possible to delay the onset of dementia in older persons through interventions that have many physical and mental health benefits.

"Epidemiologic studies have shown repeatedly that individuals who engage in more physical exercise or are more socially active have a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease.

"The current findings suggest that this may be a result of growth and preservation of critical regions of the brain affected by this illness."

The study, helped by Fudan University, China, was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Please see

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9348795/Tai-Chi-makes-your-brain-bigger-and-improves-memory.html ;