Enjoying some Tai Chi in scenic Capitol Reef National Park, UT.
As Head Instructor of Chicago Tai Chi, I'm often asked, "What is Tai Chi?"
That's a really helpful question. Especially when you're thinking about beginning Tai Chi classes. You want to have an understanding of what you're getting into.
In this article, I offer my answer to "What is Tai Chi?," explaining how I think about Tai Chi on four levels.
Tai Chi is Exercise
At the first level, Tai Chi is exercise. It's a sophisticated system of physical movement.
That said, Tai Chi differs in several respects from most types of Western exercise.
First, Tai Chi is low-impact. By that, I mean Tai Chi doesn’t pound the body like many types of exercise. Because Tai Chi is low-impact, it’s an excellent exercise for people with joint issues, like arthritis.
My book Tai Chi for Knee Health shows you how to heal your knees and eliminate pain with Tai Chi. (For a free chapter, click here.)
Second, Tai Chi can be practiced slowly and gently. So it’s ideal for people who haven’t exercised for a while, and want to get into a regular exercise routine.
Third, Tai Chi emphasizes precise body alignments and posture. In Tai Chi, you develop sensitivity and skill in aligning and coordinating multiple "moving parts." You discover how to move your body as an increasingly integrated system, all while maintaining an upright, stable posture. This is one of the reasons Tai Chi is such an effective exercise for improving balance and resistance to falls.
At the same time, Tai Chi delivers a powerful, whole body workout. That includes cardio, strength, endurance, balance training, and much more. All in one exercise. Plus, the more you get into Tai Chi, the more challenging your workouts can become.
Enjoying a whole-body workout with Tai Chi.
Finally, Tai Chi emphasizes deep relaxation. Rather than straining or pushing.
In Tai Chi, you discover how to relax the body, while at the same time develop surprising stability and power through sophisticated, whole body movement.
Deeply relaxing while practicing Tai Chi.
So for those looking for a low-impact, whole body workout, with many proven health benefits, including reducing stress, Tai Chi’s an excellent choice.
Tai Chi is Qigong
At the next level, Tai Chi is a sophisticated system of Qigong.
What is Qigong?
In Mandarin, "Qi" roughly translates to "internal energy." "Gong" connotes "practice."
So, "Qigong" means "energy practice."
There are many traditions that holding we have energy, or Qi that runs through our bodies.
Many traditions hold we have internal energy or Qi.
When that energy is strong, balanced, and smooth, we’re healthy. When that energy is weak, blocked, or stagnant, we’re more susceptible to illness.
Inside the movements of Tai Chi are opportunities to incorporate sophisticated Qigong. According to Qigong theory, that will strengthen, balance, and improve circulation of our Qi, benefitting health.
Tai Chi is a martial art
The next level of Tai Chi is as a martial art. A system of self-defense. Tai Chi originated in China hundreds of years ago as a martial art.
Inside of the flowing movements of Tai Chi are strikes, kicks, joint locks, neck cranks, head butts, eye gouges, take downs, and similar techniques common to most authentic martial arts.
The flowing movements of Tai Chi include many martial techniques.
Today, Tai Chi is primarily practiced as a health practice. That said, there are plenty of practitioners who continue to explore the martial roots and applications of Tai Chi.
That leads us to the 4th level of Tai Chi.
Tai Chi is a platform for meditation
At its highest level, Tai Chi offers a platform for meditation.
By meditation, I don’t mean just breathing and calming the mind.
By meditation, I mean the deep, transformative, inner work that can lead to profound personal growth and change, even enlightenment.
Tai Chi can support the transformative inner work of meditation.
At its highest level, Tai Chi can provide a platform for that.
So that’s my answer to “What is Tai Chi?”
Interested? To find out more about Tai Chi, Qigong, and the other practices we teach, visit our website at www.chicagotaichi.org.
At Chicago Tai Chi, you’ll have the opportunity to explore each of these levels in a friendly, welcoming environment with high-quality, professional instruction. We emphasize learning at your own pace, and discovering how to feel and move the body in new ways.
Plus, we're a light-hearted group. We make Tai Chi fun.
Having fun in our online Tai Chi classes.
We also put out a lot of free content, so join our email group, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.