tai chi
Slow Chinese martial
Tai chi is a Chinese martial art practiced primarily for health benefits rather than combat.
It consists of slow, flowing movements performed in sequences called forms, emphasizing balance, breathing, and meditation.
Practitioners often gather in parks for morning sessions: My grandmother does tai chi every day at sunrise.
The full name is tai chi chuan, meaning "supreme ultimate fist." (Also styled Tai Chi or Tai Chi Chuan.)
Grouping by shared traits
- instructorOne who teaches skills
- masterAuthority or controller
- studentOne formally enrolled somewhere
- lineageDescent from progenitors
school · studio · morning practice · solo practice · warm-up · qigong · competition · demonstration
Vital life energy
- yin yangComplementary opposing forces
- TaoismPhilosophy of the Way
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
chi · energy flow · meridians · Laozi · centering · grounding · mind-body · life force
Awareness of the present
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- focusConcentrated attention point
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- presenceState of being somewhere
stillness · calm · moving meditation · concentration · inner peace · centering · relaxation · stress relief
Overall state of health
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- postureBody position, alignment
circulation · joint health · fall prevention · stress reduction · blood pressure · immune function · chronic pain · rehabilitation
Varieties or documents
- posturesBody alignments or stances
- ward offActively prevent approach
- roll backReturn to prior condition
- pressApply force downward
push · slow · flowing · continuous · circular · weight shifting · rooting
Protecting oneself from harm
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- sparringPractice combat training
- wushuChinese martial arts collectively
- kung fuChinese martial discipline
applications · strikes · throws · joint locks · deflection · yielding · explosive power
class
Grouping by shared traits
- instructorOne who teaches skills
- masterAuthority or controller
- studentOne formally enrolled somewhere
lineage · school · studio · morning practice · solo practice · warm-up · qigong · competition · demonstration · uniform
qi
Vital life energy
harmony · chi · energy flow · meridians · Laozi · centering · grounding · mind-body · life force · cultivation
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- focusConcentrated attention point
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
presence · stillness · calm · moving meditation · concentration · inner peace · centering · relaxation · stress relief · mental clarity
wellness
Overall state of health
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
posture · circulation · joint health · fall prevention · stress reduction · blood pressure · immune function · chronic pain · rehabilitation · mobility
forms
Varieties or documents
- posturesBody alignments or stances
- ward offActively prevent approach
- roll backReturn to prior condition
press · push · slow · flowing · continuous · circular · weight shifting · rooting
self-defense
Protecting oneself from harm
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- sparringPractice combat training
- wushuChinese martial arts collectively
kung fu · applications · strikes · throws · joint locks · deflection · yielding · explosive power
- kung fukung fu, wushu, Shaolin, Shaolin Temple, taijiquan
- Asian gamesgo, judo, karate, kendo, mahjong
- Asian loanwordsanime, sushi, karate, ninja, tsunami
- Asian performanceBeijing opera, Peking opera, Chinese opera, lion dance, dragon dance
- balance exercisesyoga, pilates, heel-to-toe walk, tree pose, balance boards
- Chinese healingacupuncture, acupressure, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion
tai chikickboxing
Martial art combining punches, leg strikes
Muay Thai · MMA · Krav Maga · cage fighting · bare-knuckle boxing
tai chiHIIT
Alternating intense and rest periods
high-intensity interval training · CrossFit · sprinting · plyometrics · cardio kickboxing