Tai-chi (meaning "The Grand Ultimate Way of Life") refers to Taoist philosophy and to the healing system based on that philosophy. This includes acupressure massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine and chi-gung (health exercises based on the flow of internal energy or "chi").
Tai-chi-Chuan is the self defense system, now used as an exercise system, developed about 800 years ago by Chang, San-feng. He was the leading Martial Arts champion of his time but was also involved in healing within a system known as Taoist Alchemy. He wanted to use the principles of healing in his martial arts and also use martial arts to teach healing. Tai-chi-Chuan ("The Grand Ultimate Martial Art") was the result.
Today this system consists of slow forms (series of movements), emphasizing the fluidity of movement, aerobic and acrobatic forms such as animal forms, various types of chi-gung (such as zookinesis, a modern term meaning animal exercises), Push Hands (a two person exercise teaching principles of interaction with another person) and sparring (full contact fighting).
A school of Tai-chi-Chuan would teach the entire range of practices, including healing, exercise and self defense. A school of Tai-chi might only teach a form or some simple chi-gung exercises.
It is important to learn the lineage of your teacher to make sure that he or she has had legitimate training. Contact the oldest living representative of that lineage and ask if they know of your particular teacher and his competence.
The most popular Tai Chi DVD series are The Tai Chi - 24 Hours, Sunrise Tai Chi, Totaly Nude Yoga and Tai chi, Tai Chi for Health - Yang Short Form with Terrence Dunn etc.
Tai Chi comes from China.
tai gik is the cantonese pronunciation. tai chi is mandarin.
Ku style Tai Chi does exist, as well as Wu style; and many other styles of Tai Chi. Katara studies Ku style/Yang form Tai Chi, Sun style Tai Chi, and Bikram Yoga.
in what ways is tai chi powerful
Yes, weapons are used in tai chi.
Quo Tai-chi was born in 1889.
Quo Tai-chi died in 1952.
Tai Chi-tao was born in 1890.
Chi Kuan-chun was born on 1949-06-14.
There are 5 Primary types of Tai Chi.They are:YangChenWuSunWu/HaoKu style (A style of Tai Chi that is the basis of Waterbending in the Nickelodian series "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and the trilogy that's based off of the three seasons of the Nickelodian series called "The Last Airbender".)). There are thousands of other styles that are derivatives or variations on the main 5.
Tai chi proper came into being about 400 years ago.