Best Taiji (T'ai Chi) practices: Essential aspects of traditional curriculum and methods of training

Traditional Taiji exercise yields health benefits that may be categorized as either skill related, therapeutic, or holistic. The best Taiji practices are those that are adaptable to the practitioner and allow him or her to realize these benefits in the shortest amount of time.

Defining best Taiji practices is seemingly confounded by 1) the many orthodox “styles” of Taiji and partisan disagreements between camps, and 2) the common misunderstanding that Taiji practice is simply slow choreographed movement. While the different styles of Taiji do vary in outward appearance, the principles of Taiji movement and practice remain the same across styles. Understanding the principles of practice and mechanics of the movement—as opposed to memorizing styles of choreography—is what is important in understanding Taiji movement. Even so, however, potential differences in the complexity of movement and range of motion should be considered when designing efficient and adaptable curriculum.

Although Taiji is commonly equated with slow, choreographed movement, other exercises are equally important for efficient practice. The oral and written traditions of China are replete with references to the importance of sitting and standing meditation exercises, and the two-person practice of push-hands is also an integral aspect of traditional training. An understanding of the methods and purposes of these different aspects of traditional Taiji training, and of the interrelatedness and interdependency of various exercises, is also essential for designing efficient Taiji curriculum.