Tai chi
Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for self-defense and health. Known for its slow, intentional movements, tai chi has practitioners worldwide and is particularly popular as a form of gentle exercise and moving meditation, with benefits to mental and physical health.
The lower dantian in tai chi: Taijitu (yin and yang) rotate, while the core reverts to stillness (wuji). | |
| Also known as | See etymology |
|---|---|
| Focus | Taoism |
| Hardness | Forms:
|
| Country of origin | China |
| Date of formation | Daoyin |
| Creator | Chen Wangting or Zhang Sanfeng |
| Famous practitioners | |
| Olympic sport | Demonstration sport |
| Tai chi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 太極拳 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 太极拳 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "Taiji Boxing" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Part of a series on |
| Chinese martial arts (Wushu) |
|---|
Many forms of tai chi are practiced, both traditional and modern. While the precise origins are not known, the earliest documented practice is from Chen Village, Henan. Most modern styles trace their development to the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu (Hao), Wu, and Sun. Practitioners such as Yang Chengfu and Sun Lutang in the early 20th century promoted the art for its health benefits. Tai chi was included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.