Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese Martial Art that can be practiced by all. It’s become popular throughout the world due to the physical and mental benefits it brings.
The founder of Tai Chi Chuan was Chang San Feng, a Taoist, who was born in 1247 AD. His accomplishments were such that during the Ming Dynasty news of his fame reached the ears of the Emperor himself. Titles and honours were showered on Chang and a magnificent mansion was built for him on Wutan Mountain as a special gift from the provincial governor.
One of the greatest Tai Chi Chuan masters was Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872 AD) who, during the Ching Dynasty, served as the chief combat instructor of the Imperial Guard. He practiced Tai Chi Chuan for many years and his fighting ability earned him the nickname ‘Invincible Yang’. This gives us a good idea of the high esteem in which Tai Chi was held in those days.
Tai Chi Chuan is an art which demands a high degree of skill and intelligence if mastery is to be achieved. It is not enough for us to practice hard, though this is necessary, we must find a good master as well. Only a good master can correctly demonstrate techniques to his students, identify their faults, and give them the proper advice and guidance which will enable them to progress. A man who practices alone or who follows a poor teacher will progress very slowly and will never be able to realise his full potential.
It is common knowledge that the practice of Tai Chi Chuan is beneficial to health, but few people are aware that Tai Chi Chuan is also a subtle, sophisticated and scientific method of self-defence. The main reason for this ignorance lies in the fact that most Tai Chi Chuan masters are themselves ignorant of the self-defence side of the art, and are thus only capable of teaching Tai Chi Chuan for health. Without a doubt a student who trains under such a teacher will find that his health will improve, but equally without doubt he will be incapable of facing martial artists of other styles in combat with any prospect of success.
For such a contest we need a truly practical method of combat, if we are to defeat our opponent.
THE FIVE COMPONENTS OF TAI CHI CHUAN
The practical side of the art of Tai Chi Chuan consits of five basic component parts which are very much interrelated.
These are:-
a) Hand Form（太極拳）
The Hand Form is the most basic, as well as the best known, of the five component parts of Tai Chi Chuan, but knowledge of this alone is insufficient for self-defence purposes.There are two stages in learning the Hand Form. At first we learn the movements in a simplified, step by step, way known as the ‘Square Form’. This can be compared to teaching a child to write, in that he will be taught first to form block letters. Only when we have mastered this simple method of doing the form can we move on to learn the more intricate ‘Round Form’, which consists of the same techniques as the Square Form, but which is performed in a free and flowing manner. The Round Form is to the Square Form as cursive script is to block letters. The movements of the Hand Form come in a set sequence, and all have a self-defence application. Slow and gentle practice of the Hand Form by concentrating on the movements will result in tranquillity of mind, help relax the body and improve respiration. More benefits will be discussed in the section on hand form training.
b) Pushing Hands（推手）
The purpose of Pushing Hands is to train us in methods of applying techniques to disrupt our opponent’s centre of gravity. Such training will also increase our sensitivity and improve our reactions. Pushing Hands is the key to learning the Self-Defence techniques.
c) Self-Defence and fighting（散手）
Once we have reached a certain standard in the Pushing Hands,
we can then move on to learn the Self-Defence techniques. These are modified techniques taken from the Hand Form.
Practice with a partner is necessary to develop our ability in using these techniques to defend ourselves and to counter-attack our opponent. We must make these techniques second nature to us, so that in a real situation we will react instinctively and decisively.
d) Internal Strength (Neigong)（內功）
Internal Strength can be described as meditation combined with exercise. Though we are concentrating on maintaining a tranquil state of mind, we are at the same time holding set postures or repeating set movements which are designed to increase our health and strength, and to give us a well-coordinated body that is full of energy.
e) Weapons training（兵器）
The three weapons used in Tai Chi Chuan are the straight sword（劍）, sabre（刀）, and spear（槍）. They are usually taught after a certain degree of proficiency has been achieved in the Hand Form and the techniques of Pushing Hands and Self-Defence. The techniques of the Weapon Forms can be adapted for combat purposes in the same way as the techniques of the Hand Form.
These five component parts are so closely interrelated that only by studying all five can we reap the full benefits of practicing Tai Chi Chuan. However, knowledge of the physical movements alone is of limited value, if we lack the knowledge of the theory, strategy and tactics that direct their application.
