The name "tai chi", the most common English spelling, is not a standard romanization of the Chinese name for the art (simplified … See more

Early development
Tai chi's formative influences came from practices undertaken in Taoist and Buddhist monasteries, such as Wudang, Shaolin and The Thousand … See more

More traditional practitioners hold that the two aspects of health and martial arts make up the art's yin and yang. The "family" schools … See more

Chinese philosophy, particularly Taoist and Confucian thought, forms the conceptual background to tai chi. Early tai chi texts include embedded … See more

Traditionally, the foundational tai chi practice consists of learning and practicing a specific solo forms or routines (taolu). This entails … See more

Chinese origin
The five major styles of tai chi are named for the Chinese families who originated them: See more

Tai chi's health training concentrates on relieving stress on the body and mind. In the 21st century, tai chi classes that purely emphasize health are popular in hospitals, clinics, community centers and senior centers. Tai chi's low-stress training method for seniors … See more