What is Taijiquan?

Taijiquan is a Chinese art with history dating back thousands of years. The movements are graceful, the tempo is slow and the benefits are great. It is the one form of exercise in which you should not use outward strenght or force in your movements. Improvement depends not on outer strenght, but inner awareness. Behind every taiji movement is the philosophy of yin and yang. In the Western world, exercise concentrates on outer movements and the development of the physical body. On the other hand, taijiquan developes both the mind and body. It embodies a philosphy that not only promotes health, but also can be applied to every aspect of daily life. For example, the posture of luo or rollback teaches the student not to resist or try to escape. Simply, the student, with total awareness of the opponent, relaxes. This movement could be compared to the graceful and precise reactions of the bullfighter. When the bull attacks, the bullfighter does not meet the bull head-on because it would mean certain death. Nor does the bullfighter run and try to escape, because the bull would follow and kill him. The bullfighter simply steps aside or "roll back", allowing the bull to pass him, and thus the bullfighter maintains control and awareness of the bull. It is important to note that the bullfighter's position allows him to withdraw yet stay in a position to attack the bull as it passes by. This ability to attack as one withdraws in known in Daoism as "the yang among the yin".

"The Dao of Taijiquan", Letters from Jou, Tsung Hwa - April 1981