TAIJI QUAN FOR HEALTH

The Way To a Healthy Lifestyle

TAIJI QUAN - CHINESE SHADOW BOXING

• Taiji Quan is considered by many to be nothing less than rejuvenating of one's life. It is an effortless and rhythmical art that stresses slow breathing, balanced and relaxed postures and absolute of calmness of mind.
• Taiji Quan is an exercise embracing different postures or forms. In taiji quan, the emphasis is on static and dynamic balance, the ability to co-ordinate movements with good control and relaxation, coupled with mental discipline.
• Regular practice in taiji quan enables the practitioner to maintain his/her body in healthy condition. It is considered by many to be nothing less than rejuvenation of one's life.

WHAT IS MODIFIED TAIJI QUAN?

There are different versions and sets of Modified Taiji Quan, each of which is complete in itself. The Modified Taiji Quan is actually the essence of the well-known traditional form of Yang's Taiji Quan but its sequence of movements is organized in a different way.

The practitioner will find each of the modified versions of Taiji Quan easy to master and because it embodies the essence and basic principles of the traditional form of Yang's Taiji Quan, it is as effective as the "older or original" set.

Some of the outstanding features of the modified versions of Taiji Quan are as follows:

• The sequence of body movements is so well organized and brief that it is easier to learn and memorize than the traditional Yang style.
• It takes only 8 - 10 minutes to perform the whole sequence while 25 - 35 minutes (or longer) are required for the 88/108 forms of the traditional Yang style.
• It accomplishes and harmonizes the philosophy of Yin and Yang from Taiji by developing the left and right forms for the individual movements, resulting in a smooth and well balanced sequence. The traditional Yang style, however does not offer this balance of opposites.

DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF MODIFIED TAIJI QUAN*

• Simplified Yang Style Taiji Quan in 24 Forms
• Yang Style  Taiji Quan in 40 Forms
• Yang Style Taiji Quan in 72 Forms
• Taiji Quan in 58 Forms
• Taiji Quan in 42 Forms
• Taiji Quan in 48 Forms
• Taiji Quan in 66 Forms
• Chen Style  Taiji Quan in 56 Forms
• Wu Style Taiji Quan in 46 Forms
• Sun Style Taiji Quan in 42 Forms

*Note:   This is not the complete list of different versions of modified taijiquan. 

There are numerous excellent articles written by taijiquan experts and enthusiasts and for me to contribute any article write-up on taijiquan will not only duplicate their fine works but also add to the confusion ..... Instead, I will select a couple of reliable taiji links for general information, such as:  Peter Lim's Taiji Resource .

Please click on the category of your interest to see the links for  more information on other  forms of Taiji Quan and  martial arts such as Bagua Chang,  Xingyi Quan and many more .....

• The Origin Theories
• The Martial Arts Practised in the Chen Village
• The Development of Chen Style Taijiquan
• The Development of Yang Style Taijiquan
• The Development of Wu Yu Xiang Style Taijiquan
• The Development of Wu Jian Quan Style Taijiquan
• The Development of Sun Style Taijiquan
• The Development of Zhao Bao Style Taijiquan
• Popular Modern Styles of Taijiquan
• Historical Notes

Other specially selected Taiji Links for general   information can be found at the following sites: 

• Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan

• Yang Style Tai Chi Homepage

• Chen Style Taijiquan

• Jarek's Chinese Martial Arts Page - Welcome!

• The Sun & Wu Shi (Hao) Styles of Tai Chi

• Wu Style Tai Chi Chu'an 

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