Answered
In Tai Chi
What is tai chai?
Tai Chi Chuan is basically Chi Kung with Kung Fu moves woven into it; the Chinese practice a form of "Yoga" they call "Chi Kung," a series of movements, usually circular, that… is coordinated with the breath in order to promote health and the flow of vital energy that they call "chi." Tai Chi Chuan, combines the martial arts techniques of Shaolin Kung Fu, with Chi Kung exercises from the Daoist temple of Wudang mountain. The reason, for example, the Yang style is seemingly useless for fighting, is because it emphasizes the Chi Kung aspects of Tai Chi rather than the martial art aspects. The Yang style is more Chi Kung than Kung Fu, while it could be argued the Chen is more Kung Fu than Chi Kung. When it comes to building up Chi, the Chen style is superior to the Yang, because its "complete." The Chen style is divided into three separate routines, all of them very difficult to learn, you need total body flexibility to be able to execute them; 1) The Pao Chui or "cannon fist" form 2) The "softer" Chen large frame, which is "slow motion" like the Yang style, however the moves are completely different. 3) Finally the most advanced; the Chen small frame, from which the Hao Wei Zheng style of Tai Chi Chuan is derived. Although the moves in the Chen small frame are, well, small, do not be deceived; in terms of chi circulation, it is the frame that most powerfully circulates the Chi in the body. Hao Wei Zheng, the man who invented Hao Wei Zheng Tai Chi Chuan studed under a Chen family master, who was well known for having achieved total mastery of the Chen small frame. He taught Hao Wei Zheng the small frame, and Wei Zhen in turn created a new style. Later on Sun Lu Tang invented the Sun style of Tai Chi Chuan, which combines Hao Wei Zheng Tai Chi, Xsing Yi, and Bagua Zhang. The Sun style of Tai Chi, is the most powerful, because it is derived from the Chen small frame, which already circulates chi powerfully, however, it also borrows from Xsing Yi and Bagua Zhang. I don't think the Chinese themselves have realized, just how powerful the Sun style of Tai Chi actually is. Additionally the martial art's creator was a genius, a highly intelligent man, one of the last Chinese people to complete a classical Chinese education. Believe me when I tell you, that is quite a feat; a Classical Chinese education is not at all easy. Sun Lu Tang was also a well trained Daoist mystic, who spent practically the entire day meditating in his old age. According to the Tim Cartmell translation of "A Study of Taijiquan," it is a translation from the Chinese textbook written by Sun Lu Tang, anywya according to that book, the day Sun Lu Tang died, Sun Lu Tang's son was visited by a young man in his early 20's. According to the story, the young man gave Sun Lu Tang's son a letter telling him not to open it, until a full week after his father's burial. Sun Lu Tang's son did not listen, tore up the letter, and angrily told the young man to leave. Who the young man was, is still a mystery, however Daoist religionist Chinese believe Sun Lu Tang became an immortal, and that the young man in his early 20's was in fact none other than Sun Lu Tang himself. Because Sun's son was accustomed to seeing only the old version of his father, when he saw the rejuvenated version he didn't recognize him. When doing the Sun style you will feel like your body has been lit on fire; the feeling, is surreal. (MORE)
