Tai Chi

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Chinese martial art, sport, exercise, moving meditation

• Origin

  Ancient China

• Key Styles

  Chen, Yang, Wu

• Core Concept

  Qi (vital energy)

• Movement Style

  Gentle, low-impact, deliberate, flowing motions, slow (some styles include faster forms)

• Metaphorical Use

  Used by Alex Karp to describe building internal strength to counter external threats

• Philosophical Basis

  Taoism, Yin and Yang

• Primary Purpose (Modern)

  Health, mental and physical well-being, stress reduction

• Primary Purpose (Original)

  Combat and self-defense

• Internal Martial Art Classification

  Neijia (internal) martial art, Wudang group

Timeline

• The first known written reference to 'Tai Chi' appeared in the Book of Changes during the Zhou Dynasty (1100-1221 BC), stating 'in all changes exists Tai Chi, which causes the two opposites in everything.' (Source: web_search_results)

  c. 1100 BC

• Chen Wangting developed the Chen Style Tai Chi, one of the major styles, based on Qigong and ancient martial art techniques. (Source: web_search_results)

  1670-01-01

• Dr. Paul Lam began practicing Tai Chi after graduating from medical school, later becoming a prominent figure in Tai Chi for Health. (Source: web_search_results)

  1974-01-01

• Palantir CEO Alex Karp used his knowledge of Tai Chi as a metaphor for a strategy of building internal strength to counter external threats in an interview discussing Palantir's operations and Western societal decline. (Source: related_documents)

  Undated

Web Search Results

• Tai chi - Wikipedia

  Tai chi is a Chinese martial art. Initially developed for combat and self-defense, for most practitioners it has evolved into a sport and form of exercise. As an exercise, tai chi is performed as gentle, low-impact movement in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate, flowing motions while focusing on deep, slow breaths. Often referred to as "meditation in motion", tai chi aims to concentrate and balance the body's purported qi (vital energy), providing benefits to mental and physical [...] Tai chi is a complete martial art system with a full range of bare-hand movement sets and weapon forms, such as the jian (straight sword), dao "Dao (Chinese sword)") (curved sword), and qiang "Qiang (spear)") (spear), which are based on the dynamic relationship between yin and yang. While tai chi is typified by its slow movements, many styles (including the three most popular: Yang, Wu, and Chen) have secondary, faster-paced forms. Some traditional schools teach martial applications of the [...] As such, tai chi considers itself an "internal" (neijia) martial art focused on developing qi. In China, tai chi is categorized under the Wudang group of Chinese martial arts—that is, arts applied with internal power. Although the term Wudang suggests these arts originated in the Wudang Mountains, it is used only to distinguish the skills, theories, and applications of neijia from those of the Shaolin grouping, or waijia (hard/external styles).

• History of Tai Chi - Tai Chi for Health Institue

  Tai Chi, also known as Shadow Boxing, is one of the major branches of the traditional Chinese martial arts. Its name is derived from the philosophical term, “Tai Chi,” the first known written reference of which appeared in the Book of Changes over 3000 years ago during the Zhou Dynasty (1100-1221 BC). In this book it says that “in all changes exists Tai Chi, which causes the two opposites in everything.” Tai Chi means the ultimate of ultimate, often used to describe the vastness of the [...] Tai Chi is one of the best known martial arts of the Internal systems from ancient China. Based on Qigong and martial art techniques from thousands of years ago, Chen Wangting developed the Chen Style Tai Chi around 1670. It is characterised by contrasting and complimentary movements-slow and soft versus fast and hard. It contains explosive power and low stances. Chen style is more difficult and physically demanding than Sun style; thus it is not the best style to start with if you have [...] The essential principles of Tai Chi are based on the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism, which stresses the natural balance in all things and the need for living in spiritual and physical accord with the patterns of nature. According to this philosophy, everything is composed of two opposite, but entirely complementary, elements of yin and yang, working in a relationship which is in perpetual balance. Tai Chi consists of exercises equally balanced between yin and yang, which is why it is so

• What is T'ai Chi? | The University of Kansas Health System

  T'ai chi (tie chee) is a form of qigong (chee gong), part of traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, qigong/t'ai chi, herbology). Traditional Chinese medicine is based on establishing the natural flow of qi (life energy) through the body. T'ai chi teaches how to relax into the normal movements and activities in our lives in order to minimize stress accumulation. It's widely considered to be effective exercise for both a healthy mind and body. [...] The practice of t'ai chi is a slow and graceful movement. T'ai chi is the process of learning where to put the hands and feet, and how to align posture and move the body. It often involves a combination of breathing, visualization and gentle movements to help release stress in the body, via a type of mindful awareness biofeedback that the slowness of t'ai chi movements enable. The movements used in t'ai chi are accessible to anyone, regardless of ability, age or fitness level.

• What is Tai Chi? - What Are The Health Benefits?

  At the heart of it, Tai Chi is a moving meditation in the form of a series of gentle exercises that create harmony between the mind and body. The ultimate purpose is to cultivate our inner life energy (qi) to flow smoothly and powerfully through the body. This is a spiritual experience, as much as a physical one. [...] Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise originating from ancient China, where it started as a famous martial art. These days, it’s practised around the world as an effective exercise for health. It’s impossible to describe this complex art in one sentence. Tai Chi can be many things for different people, but regular practise will improve your wellbeing. [...] Tai chi is an art embracing the mind, body and spirit. Originating in ancient China, tai chi is one of the most effective exercises for health of mind and body. Although an art with great depth of knowledge and skill, it can be easy to learn and soon delivers its health benefits. For many, it continues as a lifetime journey. By Dr Paul Lam Tai Chi has virtually changed my life, since I started practicing it after graduating from medical school in 1974.

• History of Tai Chi

  Tai Chi Chuan (T'ai chi ch'uan), literally means Supreme Ultimate Fist and was originally taught as a martial art and longevity exercise. The principles of tai chi are based on Taoism, the ancient Chinese philosophy which believes that there is a natural balance in all things and we should live in spiritual and physical harmony with nature. In the 21st century, there are many different short forms, styles and hybrid styles of tai chi, all of them beneficial to the physical, mental and

• Instance Of

  Q4167410