'Generally practiced slow and great for relaxation and focus'
Taijiquan which means 'Supreme Ultimate Boxing' is the most well known Internal Martial Art of China. Unlike most other martial arts it's main focus is to balance hard with soft, even when compared to other Internal Martial Arts this concept is still most prevalent. There is also much emphasis on the principles of Taiji such as Yin and Yang, sensitivity, and the understanding of Chi or energy. This means that there can be a deep underlying skill which can be turned to any martial art and any technique. But these skills can also be used to improve general health and happiness as the principles of Taiji are taken from the 'Tao' or 'Natural Way of Things', so the student is simply learning how to harmonise with everything around them.
Benefits
Legend holds a 12th Century Taoist monk by the name of Zhan Sanfeng as the creator of Taijiquan, but historical evidence points to the 17th Century and Chen Wang Ting (dipicted here) of the Chen Family Village and founder of Chen Style Taiji.
Yang Luchuan is the founder of Yang Style Taiji which was derived from the Chen Family system which he first started learning secretly by watching the students being taught from a concealed position. He then went on to become one of the greatest martial artist.
I have practiced mainly two family branches of Taijiquan which have been derived from the Yang Family Lineage: Sun Lutang and Cheng Man-ch'ing.
Sun Lutang was a revered fighter and already a pioneer in the arts of Xingyiquan and Baguazhang when he became the founder of one of the Sun Style Taiji Families.
He went on to teach Li Yulin and his son Li Tianji (nicknamed Longfei or Flying Dragon).
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Some consider a rogue family system as Chen coined a very soft system in Malaysia, but he was also known to have amazing Jing or vital energy and sensitivity.
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24 Standardised (Simplified) Short Form