You recognize it when you see it. People doing a series of silent, fluid, seamless slow-motion movements.
Because tai chi looks so peaceful and relaxed, many assume that we are involved in some form of meditation.
You may notice that these graceful movements resemble kicks, punches and chops. With a history of more than 500 years, from a remote village in China, tai chi was developed as a very effective martial art.
In brief, tai chi is a practice that can be done for self-defense, stress management, or for better health overall.
The Philosophy of Tai Chi. Often thought of as an exercise, even the Perfect Exercise, tai chi is more than that. It is a framework for enhancing different forces and life interactions. A practitioner can yield the force of an incoming fist, then use the attacker’s own force against him; meeting force with force.
This approach to yield and flow around obstacles is core to the philosophy of tai chi. Tai chi is not simply a series of movements, but a philosophy and way of approaching life.
The Tai Chi Symbol. The philosophy of tai chi revolves around cycles and balance. Often simplified as masculine/feminine or, in tai chi, yin and yang. The constant shifts of energies is an integral part of tai chi. And these principles are represented in the tai chi symbol.
Don’t get bogged down in the details of tai chi. It’s history and philosophy, as well as the medical aspects of tai chi are sometimes challenging to read about. All of these aspects are important, but in-depth understanding is not essential to get started.
Revisit after you get a glimpse of how tai chi feels and how it benefits you. This will deepen your practice if you are interested. But for now, just get started so you can feel the benefits.