Why Is Tai Chi Different From Other Martial Arts?
Thursday, February 17th, 2011Tai chi is among the martial arts which gain more and more popularity nowadays. Reasons are many, as it comes from ancient time and has proven its efficiency and benefits for generations. Like any other martial art, it can be classified according to various criteria and it is based on a combination of yin and yang principles which set out the rules that guide its followers. Its most commonly accepted literal translation is "Supreme Ultimate Fist" and it develops its principles and practice in close connection with Taoism and Confucianism principles.
If we were to translate Tai chi chuan, probably the most commonly accepted variant would be "Supreme Ultimate Fist", a clear indication of the profound philosophical principles behind this internal Chinese martial art. The particularity Tai chi offers is the combination between the slow movement training forms and the beneficial effects they have on the health of the individual.
Overall, Tai chi addresses three different aspects, namely martial arts, health and meditation. There is a clear distinction between the traditional and the modern schools based on the importance given to these aspects. While traditional schools would offer a balanced approach to these three aspects, modern schools would emphasize one of the aspects in particular, depending on their overall goal.
Regardless of the importance given to one or the other aspect, they interconnect with one another. For example, practice of this type of martial art has been proven to have important therapeutic effects on the cardiovascular system of the individuals as well as on the activity of the brain. At the same time, only healthy people will perform accurately the movements required. And it needs both aspects to reach a level of meditation beneficial to the mental well-being.
Meditation is seen by many as the key element of Tai chi study. It offers the mind unknown potentials to face the everyday challenges. The slow movements repeated regularly help clear the brain from the stress accumulated and bring calmness and relaxation. We are witnessing a process of physical and personal development of the individual with great impact on the mental and emotional level.
Those interested in approaching this aspect of meditation can start an overwhelming journey of self discovery with the help of the work of the shaman Lujan Matus.


