Taijiquan (T'ai-chi ch'uan) is a Chinese martial art with a history believed to date back at least 300 years. Modern scholarship has traced the art's origin to members of the Chen clan living in Wen County, Henan Province, during the mid-17th century. Chen Wangting (1628-1736), a warrior and scholar of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, is believed to have combined techniques from pre-existing fighting arts with classical methods of breathing exercise and internal energy cultivation. The art has since developed and diversified greatly.

In solo form practice, the Chen style is characterized by low stances and extended postures, and by continuous, fluid motion involving changes of pace, alternations of firmness and softness, and sudden bursts of explosive power. The body moves as a unit, contracting to gather force and expanding to issue what is referred to as "spring-like shaking power." Jin ("internal," relaxed force), as opposed to li ("external," muscular strength), is developed through circular motion, according to Taiji theory. The body's joints are therefore rotated in converse relation in order to lend each movement a kind of "spiral power."

In application, the Chen style employs punches, kicks and blows delivered with the forearms, elbows, shoulders, knees, and other body parts, as well as sweeps and throws. It also includes methods of immobilizing one's opponent through the use of qin-na/ch'in-na (joint-locking) techniques focused on anatomical stress points.

Sensitivity and awareness are developed through tuishou ("Pushing Hands") practice, which is performed with a partner. This allows the practitioner to apply techniques from the Taiji form in a controlled manner while learning to yield, adhere to, and control opponents by "listening to" (feeling) their direction of force.

Pushing-hands training is Taiji's method of "knowing" one's opponent.

Taijiquan has become a popular means of reducing stress and of promoting physical and mental health both in China and abroad. Extensive practice of the form is said to increase flexibility in the joints, tone the muscles, improve posture, promote circulation and digestion, and contribute to relaxation and mental calm.

As a varied means of self-cultivation, Taijiquan offers numerous benefits to men and women of diverse ages and body types.

Master Xu and Master Zhang with Sifu V.A.Thomas