Tai Chi
太極拳
AI-generated content — may contain inaccuracies
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Solo taolu (套路, forms) — Yang 24, 48, or 108 movements
Push hands — tuishou (推手, tuī shǒu) — sensitivity and redirection
Rooting, balance, and weight transfer principles
Breathing coordination with movement — qigong (氣功, qìgōng)
Tai Chi sword and fan forms
Silk-reeling energy — chan si jin (纏絲勁, chán sī jìn) — exercises
Your First Class
Watch & Learn
Gallery
Legends of Tai Chi
Yang Luchan (楊露禪)
Yang Luchan learned Tai Chi from the secretive Chen family and adapted it into Yang-style — the most widely practiced form of Tai Chi in the world today. His reputation for being undefeated in challenge matches earned him the title "Yang the Invincible" and an appointment to teach the Qing Imperial Guard.
Chen Fake (陳發科)
Chen Fake was the greatest Chen-style Tai Chi master of the 20th century, arriving in Beijing in 1928 and remaining undefeated in challenge matches for 30 years. His explosive fajin (power release) and martial prowess proved that Tai Chi was a devastating fighting art, not merely a health exercise.
Chen Wangting (陳王廷)
Chen Wangting is credited as the originator of Tai Chi, combining military combat experience with Daoist breathing techniques and traditional Chinese medicine theory. His creation in Chenjiagou village spawned all subsequent Tai Chi styles and what is now the most practiced martial art on Earth.
Cheng Man-ch'ing
Related Styles
Wing Chun
Wing Chun (詠春拳) is a Southern Chinese martial art emphasizing close-range combat, simultaneous defense and attack, and economy of motion. Popularized globally by Ip Man and Bruce Lee, it uses centerline theory and sensitivity training — Chi Sau (黐手, sticky hands).
Aikido
Aikido (合気道) is a Japanese martial art focused on redirecting an attacker's energy through joint locks and throws. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, it emphasizes harmony and non-resistance.
Kung Fu
Kung Fu — gongfu (功夫) — is a broad term for Chinese martial arts, or wushu (武術), encompassing hundreds of styles. Training typically includes forms — taolu (套路) — conditioning, and combat applications with an emphasis on philosophy and tradition.
Popular With
Chi Master
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
Technician
Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless.
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