Introduction to Taiji 

 

Many people in the West are better acquainted with the graceful, flowing movements of Taiji forms than with the more static Qigong forms. However, the two share a common philosophical background, and both can contribute to the development and maintenance of health and well-being. In essence, the forms that are seen performed as Taijiquan (literally, the "supreme ultimate fist," or "supreme ultimate boxing art") can be conceptualized as a dynamic form of Qigong, or "energy cultivation," and a way of regulating the system and preventing disease.

 

At its roots, Taijiquan is a powerful and effective martial art, but behind the martial applications lie the same Daoist principles: the development of prefect harmony between the Yin and Yang energies of the body, the promotion of smooth and uninhibited flow of Qi throughout the body, and the maintenance of maximal health.