China and Martial Arts go together! Tai Chi is one of this great land’s offerings, among others. Here’s all the information about it… For the common man, Martial Arts and “Self-defense” go together. Well, Tai Chi begs to be different! Its basis is meditation that has now branched out into self-defense too. Naturally, the training and the techniques offered here beg to be different from other forms! In literal terms Tai Chi refers to “one”, or “supreme ultimate fist”. What would that indicate? You can go solo, or work with a partner. Chi energy gets to flow properly only with the adoption of perfect posture and controlled breathing. Tai Chi is therefore a wonderful amalgam of meditation and self-protection, based on gentle hand gestures. Now, how did the world acquire this form of Martial Art? Research surveys and ancient documents have pointed to a place called Chen in China, as well as a monk named Chang San Feng who lived in a monastery called Wu Tang (1391-1459). It occurred to Chang that the motion and flow adopted by varied Martial Art techniques (Kung Fu, Yi Jung, and Taoism) could be combined to produce one great form—Tai Chi. The 1600s (time of Chen Wang Ting) therefore saw the rise in popularity of Tai Chi, the vision of one great man! Even today, this legendary "hero" is remembered with pride by the Chinese, for he has acquired great respect across the globe! The modern era has ushered in four schools of Tai Chi teaching--Chen, Yang, Sun, and Wu. Though the basics (breathing, posture, and Chi) remain the same for all, each one follows a different style of appearance and instruction— (1) The positions adopted for CHEN are a compounding of a low state and extraneous feelings. Based more on the Kung Fu style, they are as different from Wu and Yang, as chalk from cheese! Gentle movements, but in parts, strengthen the inner Chi--is the general belief. This is a front stance--a bent back knee, and the back foot placed at a 45-degree angle. Thus, your fast turns will be executed with such expertise that your foe is left feeling totally flummoxed! (2) YANG, in contrast, adopts high and wide stances. A commonality with Chen is the placement of the back foot (same 45-degree angle). Every part of your body goes into action; nothing works in isolation. Achieve consistency in speed, and polished movements--you have done a great job! After all, the mantra of a Tai Chi school is slow and continuous, refined body postures. The Yang school tops the popularity charts as of now. (3) A world-renowned and well-trained Martial Arts teacher, Sun Lu Tang launched the SUN style of Tai Chi in 1914. This unparalleled form combines the principles of Taoism and Qigong, Hsing I, Shaolin Kung Fu, Bagua, and the theory of Yi Jing. (4) The youngest member of the Tai Chi schools is WU! Very slow, but well-controlled movements (much slower than the other forms) are depicted here. The features of this school include parallel front stances (high in nature), with the body leaning and reaching out quite a bit. The Tai Chi schools are beckoning you; when are you signing up?