[Martial Arts] Correcting the Name of Tai Chi Chuan

Autor: Jeffi Chao Hui Wu

Fecha: 2025-7-11 Viernes, 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 a manifestation of wisdom. Many people's impressions of Tai Chi still linger on slow movements, elderly morning exercisers, 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 true realization from my personal experience of 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 understood the astonishing power hidden within this system. My journey in practice began with 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 family of martial artists, nor did I follow the traditional path of apprenticing in martial arts schools; 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." As the founder and president of this grassroots organization, I am acutely aware of the various prejudices and challenges Tai Chi faces in its dissemination overseas. Many Westerners first encounter Tai Chi only from a fitness perspective, understanding 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 posture, which requires complete stillness, is actually 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 tendons and bones, stimulating internal energy, and opening 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 tendons and bones, prolonged 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 of 6 degrees Celsius for over 1.5 hours, wearing only a thin shirt, yet feeling no cold at all. That warmth and stability from within cannot be explained scientifically, but it is a true manifestation of the power of Tai Chi.

In my teaching efforts, I have also 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 elderly individuals over seventy and young professionals who sit at desks all day. Each change has strengthened my conviction—that this is not just flashy movements; it is a genuine practice, 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, not only have they preserved the principles and techniques of the art, but they have also continuously evolved and perfected it 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 Xian's international influence is profound.

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 energy, and listening for energy can resolve an opponent's attack solely through subtle adjustments of 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 did not go for performance, but with the mission of "correcting the name of Tai Chi." I have experienced, transmitted, cultivated, and witnessed—Tai Chi is not a fabricated concept; it can genuinely change a person's body structure, respiratory system, neural functioning, and even levels of consciousness.

Looking back over the years, I have almost always been accompanied by Tai Chi. From morning standing meditation to evening contemplation of the 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 for show." It has principles, methods, forms, and practical applications, as well as profound philosophy and cultural depth; it is 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, entering into it, experiencing it, and empirically validating 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