Toh chi chuan is an internal Chinese martial art (nei jia), of Taoist orientation, which combines ancient body exercises known as chi kung and so yin, which involve breathing, concentration and the precepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The term Tai Chi Chuan can be translated as "supreme ridge hand fighting technique" or "supreme ridge boxing."
tai means “the greatest”, “the highest”, “supreme”, “absolute”; Chi literally means the highest part of the roof - "ridge" and Chuan means Fist, symbolizing “punch”, “fight freehand” (unarmed), “boxing”.
There are many forms of tai chi, freehanded or with weapons such as a sword, fan, or saber. The oldest style is the Style Chen and among the most popular are the styles Yang and Father Lin.
Tai Chi Chuan Movements
The movements of Tai Chi Chuan are smooth, cyclic, fluid and require full mental attention, and must be commanded by the center of the body (region from the top of the thighs to the level of the navel).
The sequences of movements in Tai Chi Chuan are called "forms". In the Chen Style, the old forms are composed of 75 or 83 movements, although there are also short 19 and 38 movements.
In Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, movements can be mostly slow or fast and explosive when practicing the fajin.
See too what is krav maga.
Origin and Influences of Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Chuan was created under the influences of Taoist practices of energy circulation, which aimed to increase vitality and improve energy circulation, based on the observance of the natural laws of Yin and Yang.
However, Tai Chi Chuan was born as a refined martial art that would be taught within its founder's own family. In fact, Tai Chi Chuan is the only martial art that was created to preserve the practitioner's health.