[Martial Arts] Correcting the Name of Tai Chi Chuan

Author: Jeffi Chao Hui Wu

Time: 2025-7-11 Friday, 8:22 PM

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[Martial Arts] Correcting the Name of Tai Chi
I have always believed that Tai Chi is not just a martial art, but also a way of life and an embodiment of wisdom. Many people's impressions of Tai Chi remain stuck on slow movements, elderly morning exercises, and fitness routines, and once they see real combat practice and application, they are astonished and even question whether this belongs to Tai Chi. Therefore, I decided to write this article—to correct the name of Tai Chi! This is not only a clarification of misunderstandings but also a reflection of my personal insights gained from over twenty years of practice.

Before I formally practiced Tai Chi, I mistakenly thought it was an exercise for the elderly, until I immersed myself in it and realized the astonishing power hidden within this system. My journey began with a respect for traditional culture and a love for martial arts, ultimately evolving into a deep understanding of the entire Tai Chi philosophy. I do not come from a martial arts family, nor did I follow the traditional path of apprenticing in a martial arts school; instead, I have carved out my own path of "empirical Tai Chi" through decades of practice.

I founded the "Australian International Qigong Tai Chi Academy," and as the founder and president of this grassroots organization, I am acutely aware of the biases and challenges Tai Chi faces in its dissemination overseas. Many Westerners first encounter Tai Chi only from a fitness perspective, viewing it as "soft kung fu," while many Chinese mistakenly believe that Tai Chi is merely about performing movements and lacks depth. I have taken concrete actions to break these misconceptions—whether through teaching materials archived in the National Library of Australia or the free courses offered by the academy over the years, I have consistently promoted true Tai Chi with an "empirical spirit."

For example, "Chen Style Tai Chi" is one of the authentic Tai Chi systems I first encountered. I was fortunate to be initiated into the legitimate lineage, becoming the twelfth generation inheritor of Chen Style Tai Chi and the sixth generation inheritor of Wu Style Tai Chi. In the beginning, under the training of Master Shan Ying and my senior brother Master Lin Wenhui, the most challenging aspect for me was not the forms, but "standing meditation." That seemingly simple, motionless posture is, in fact, a challenge to the limits of body and mind. In the horse stance, my legs would ache, my spine needed to be aligned, and my breathing had to synchronize with my movements. I once stood in the cold wind for over half an hour, drenched in sweat, experiencing the true meaning of "movement within stillness, strength hidden within movement." That was not a posture for performance, but a genuine process of refining the body, stimulating internal energy, and opening the meridians.

What shocked me the most was that after practicing to a certain level, my body began to exhibit "spontaneous adjustments." This phenomenon was extraordinary; it seemed as if my body automatically found the most suitable mode of operation, with relaxed muscles, deep breathing, and an unobstructed energy flow. I often practiced by the seaside at five in the morning, standing in summer clothes in the cold wind at 6 degrees Celsius for over 1.5 hours, wearing only a thin shirt, yet feeling no cold at all. That inner warmth and stability cannot be explained scientifically, but it is a manifestation of the real power of Tai Chi.

In my teaching, I have witnessed countless students transform from being stiff and short of breath to gradually being able to stand in meditation for over ten minutes, with long and smooth breathing and revitalized spirits. Among them are seniors in their seventies and young professionals who sit at desks all day. Each change has strengthened my conviction—this is not flashy martial arts; this is true skill, a treasure left by traditional culture.

Historically, Chen Style Tai Chi, as the source of Tai Chi, has a rigorous lineage and practical basis. From Chen Wangting to generations of inheritors like Chen Changxing, Chen Fake, and Chen Xiaowang, they have not only preserved the principles and techniques but have also continuously evolved and refined them in combat. For example, during his time teaching in Beijing, Mr. Chen Fake's rigorous and efficient instruction brought Tai Chi into the core of the martial arts community; Master Wang Xi'an has had a profound international influence.

Now, I strive to use my years of teaching experience and international perspective to help more people understand that "Tai Chi is not about retreating, but about overcoming hardness with softness; it is not slow, but about nurturing energy in subtlety." Techniques such as push hands, issuing force, and listening for energy can dissolve an opponent's attack solely through slight adjustments in angles and structure, without relying on external force. This process does not depend on brute strength or speed, but on structure, rhythm, and relaxation, which is a powerful subversion of modern martial arts concepts.

I have also personally participated in various Tai Chi cultural events, including the "Top Ten Masters Gathering in Hong Kong" in 2008 and the grand attendance at the "International Tai Chi Day" in 2024, spreading the true Chinese Tai Chi culture in many parts of the world. In every occasion, I do not go for the sake of performance, but with the mission of "correcting the name of Tai Chi." I have experienced, transmitted, cultivated, and witnessed—Tai Chi is not a fictional concept; it can genuinely change a person's body structure, respiratory system, neural function, and even levels of consciousness.

Looking back over the years, I have almost daily accompanied Tai Chi. From morning standing meditation to evening contemplation of Tai Chi principles, from patiently guiding students in the classroom to confidently speaking at international lectures, I have never forgotten my original intention: I want the world to know that Tai Chi does not belong to "performance martial arts," nor is it "just a show." It has principles, methods, forms, and practical applications, as well as profound philosophy and cultural depth, making it a treasure left by the Chinese nation for humanity.

Therefore, I solemnly write this passage, not for fame or profit, but to correct the name of Tai Chi. Let us no longer misunderstand Tai Chi, nor regard true wisdom and strength as weakness and uselessness, but instead approach it with reverence and love, to enter it, experience it, and empirically validate it.
This is my original intention and persistence in correcting the name of Tai Chi.

Source: https://www.australianwinner.com/AuWinner/viewtopic.php?t=696810