Tai Chi Chuan was developed in China, about a thousand years ago. Tai Chi Chuan can be translated into English as the big or great (Tai), includes everything or is everywhere (Chi), way or path (Chuan). It is a so called ‘internal system’. There are many types or styles of Tai Chi, but though they may look different the only thing that is important is that they incorporate the principles of Tai Chi or internal-movement. The internal systems are also known as boxing for health or boxing with the feet and sometimes “sitting on the chair”.

The rationale was “self-defence” or to protect the self from the environment and sickness. The original principles conform to those used in Chinese Medicine and at an advanced level Tai Chi includes meditation.

Through the diligent practice of Tai Chi we can achieve harmony and balance between and within ourselves, and our environment. As with most things in life, you will get out of Tai Chi Chuan what you put in to it and the ideal is to make it your life path and guiding principle.
The study of Tai Chi also includes the practice of Chi Kung. This means simply working with the chi. Chi is the main factor in the internal arts and is often referred to as energy, however this is incorrect. Energy comes from the operation of chi and there are 84,000 types of chi in the human body. The universe has more. The human body is like one large chemical factory wherein food and oxygen are processed to maintain the organism. Chi is the managerial factor. If the chi is in harmony and balance then the factory will run smoothly and efficiently.