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Have you ever seen it? The graceful movements of the Tai Chi practitioners, as they fluidly change from one position to the next–easily, as if moving without giving effort–like magic. If you live in a city, you might catch groups of people practicing Tai Chi in the early morning hours on a park lawn, or in a quiet area of Chinatown. Tai Chi–also known as Tai Chi Chuan–is an ancient martial art form that was developed in China many centuries ago. It is said to have healing effects that can benefit us all.

The story of Tai Chi tells us about the ancient masters of the Taoist (or, “dow-ist”) tradition, who decided that city life was not for them. These masters wanted to fully experience the universal harmony–or Tao–which they felt was flowing through all things. But life in the city was too noisy, too full of violence and disharmony for the masters to really concentrate on pure nature. So, these masters left the cities and isolated themselves in mountainous regions to be at one with the Tao, or the great way of the universe. They soon came to realize that life in these remote regions did not provide them with adequate nutrition or medicine, and besides, there were wild beasts to fend off. To make a long story short, the masters began to develop a martial art to promote good health and give proper defense wherever they lived. Thus, by the 10th century AD, Tai Chi Chuan began to be practiced within China.

The ancient Taoist masters developed this martial art by observing the ways of animals. One master, called Cheung San Fung, studied the movements and habits of animals that lived long lives, such as turtles and cranes, in order to develop the soft style of motion, which became Tai Chi Chuan. He, like other Taoists, believed that the universe was made up of female and male powers, as symbolized by the concept of YIN and YANG. Yin represents all things female and receptive–the way that a reed bends to the power of the wind is an example of yin in nature. Water flowing down a valley is also seen as yin. Yang, on the other hand, is the force of the wind itself. Yang is the lightning bolt ripping through the night sky. Tai Chi Chuan uses the forces of nature to bring harmony of yin and yang into the body.

Harmony of body also brings harmony in the mind and spirit, according to the ancient Chinese tradition. When a practitioner flows through a Tai Chi form, the body moves in a way that intends to bring harmony within and without. One such form in Tai Chi, called “Raising One Hand,” has the arms stretch in opposite direction, so that one faces heaven, and the other the earth. Meanwhile, the form is stimulating the internal organs, while stretching the muscles in the arms and shoulders. Powerful stuff, huh?

Tai Chi is meant to develop flexibility and fluidity. Some have described the practice as “flying clouds and flowing streams.” It has also been described as having the feeling of “exerting strength like pulling silk threads from a cocoon.” You get the idea–super flexible but strong and surprising at the same time–like the bending reed and the flash of lightening mentioned earlier. Tai Chi can be used also as a method of self-defense.

People who practice Tai Chi can experience better digestion, a sense of calm and increased vitality. They may notice that their circulation and breathing is better, and that they have more control over their moods. Wouldn’t that be nice?

It is said that there are 5 secrets to obtaining the magic of Tai Chi Chuan. The first secret lies in quieting the mind’s chattering, or obtaining calm. Other secrets ask the practitioner to allow the body to remain agile and relaxed; another says that a person should cultivate as much chi, or life energy, as possible into the body and spirit.

Even though Tai Chi looks effortless and easy, it really demands a great deal of discipline to achieve the fluid appearance of the forms. In fact, Tai Chi masters emphasize that it takes great confidence, sincerity and perseverance to gain the full benefits of Tai Chi Chuan. Confidence allows for the development of sincerity. Sincerity allows for the focus and calm required by the forms. Sincerity also helps the practitioner to persevere and gain ever-deepening benefits from Tai Chi Chuan. It goes deep.

Unlike some sports like football or marathon running, Tai Chi Chuan can be practiced by all ages of people. Young children develop strength and agility that will aid them throughout their lives; whereas elderly people who practice Tai Chi Chuan can feel more alive and healthy. Because the forms are developed to regulate and harmonize the breathing, the entire respiratory and circulatory systems are benefited. Muscles become strong and flexible, and a sense of calm in the body and spirit is experienced. No wonder the ancient Taoist masters passed on this powerful art to the people of China! They experienced wellness though Tai Chi Chuan and wanted to share its magic with the world. Now we can experience the magic of Tai Chi Chuan too–if we practice.