Buffalo Tai Chi Center

Tai Chi History

Myth versus fact is a common question when searching for the history of ancient things and the origins of Tai Chi are even today still somewhat uncertain. Since Tai Chi cannot be carbon dated we must search for other clues in the rare, sometimes cryptic texts of ancient peoples. Ancient Chinese texts are difficult to decipher with ‘old style’ characters and metaphors intended to ‘indirectly’ express or hide concepts from the outside world. Even today we still protect what is personal and valuable to us from others. Valuable family artifacts and information is ‘carefully shared’, sometimes without written records, only within families and perhaps with few other trustworthy persons. Tai Chi as we know it today is only a few hundred years old, however the old forms of Tai Chi that were cherished and carefully guarded by monks, special families or heads of state are believed to be at least 1,200 years old. Tai Chi is a derivative of an older Chinese art known as Qigong (pronounced ‘chi kung’), estimated to be well more than 2,000 years old. Tai Chi Ch’uan (often translated ‘ultimate fist or ultimate harmony’), Tai Chi for short, developed primarily as a martial art in order to promote health and especially the self-defense of the Buddhist and Taoist monks in their monasteries. Intensive meditation and stillness, academics, gentle craft, and a mild life made for soft, weak monks that were easily overcome by bandits. Tai Chi allowed the monks to maintain their health and their livelihood.
Qigong (translated ‘energy work’) in its simplest modern understanding, is essentially an exercise system for your energy and health. It is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (as is Tai Chi). It is believed that when your energy does not flow well or is blocked then you become mentally or physically ill and Qigong, and perhaps less directly Tai Chi, are instrumental in the treatment. Qigong began with ancient Chinese farmers that recognized the balance in nature. Remember the ‘Yin-Yang’ symbol. They observed the circumstances that created problems and those that did not; and what would make their crops vigorous or weak. Regularly nurturing crops with moderation and adaptability created healthy, vibrant plants that in turn created healthy food. They had recognized ‘life’s vital energy or Chi’. By transferring this philosophy and practice to people, the ancient, observant shamans and monks developed exercises for people that simulated that nurturing, the cultivation of vibrancy or Chi. These exercises became the essential energy gathering/nurturing exercises necessary to understand Qigong (and subsequently Tai Chi), and build a solid foundation of skill. Principally, these include both standing and sitting meditation, techniques of breathing, relaxation, and whole body awareness and integration.

An early Tai Chi Master once wrote that the ultimate purpose of learning Tai Chi was to live forever in the spring season of your life. Tai Chi is not just for longevity, but also for robustness, even at an old age.
Take control of your own health and enjoy the benefits of graceful aging well into your old age. It’s never too late to start.

It can even help you.

Why Tai Chi Can Help Just About Anyone: A Cardiologist Explains It was impossible not to enjoy my first Tai Chi practice. Our guide and instructor, Bud, led a hike through glorious red mountains outside St. George, Utah, to a ridge with a breathtaking view.

You don't have to lift weights to get stronger.

Using Tai Chi to Build Strength Tai chi moves can be easily learned and executed by people of all ages and states of health, even elderly people in wheelchairs.

As far as the health benefits, I agree.

Why Tai Chi Is As Good For You As CrossFit It may be the ultimate mind-body workout.