As most of you know, the essential principles of Tai Chi are based on the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism (Daoism) and the belief that there is a need for natural balance in all things. It is also important to live in spiritual and physical harmony with nature.
During my years of practicing and teaching Tai Chi, I have occasionally heard the term Taoist Tai Ch (TTC), but nothing more. I became curious to know if there was a difference between Taoist Tai Chi and traditional Tai Chi and decided to do some fairly extensive research.
Taoist Tai Chi was originally based on the 108 Yang traditional Tai Chi form developed by Yang Chengfu. Master Moy Lin-Shin borrowed from Yang’s form and from Lokhupbafa, XingYi and BaGua, as well as adding elements of Taoist and Buddhist Qigong in order to “create” Taoist Tai Chi. He also incorporated teachings from three religions of China: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. According to the Society’s website, Taoist Tai Chi is taught in more than 25 countries by the International Taoist Tai Chi Society and associated national Taoist Tai Chi societies.
According to the International Association of Tai Chi and LokHup academies, TTC has been recognized as the best “tai chi form for health in the western world.” However, in my research, I could find no mention by whom and how that was determined. While the health claims made by the TTC Society are generally the same as those made for other forms of Tai Chi, no medical studies (to my knowledge) have researched the benefits of TTC. All have used traditional Tai Chi in their research.
TTC uses Tai Chi as a tool for health as well as other tools, such as lok hup, meditations, chanting, Buddhist exercises and more. The four aims of the Society are:
Make TTC available to all
Promote the healing qualities of Tai Chi
Cultural exchange
Helping others
According to TTC Society, students learn a “unique group of cyclical foundation exercises” with a focus on opening the joints (also called “jongs”) and massaging the internal organs. The Society states that the stretching aspects of the form improves the function of the joints, tendons, and ligaments by taking them through their full range of motion. Students will later enjoy increased mobility of the spine and spinal nerves, and proper alignment of the spine will be restored.
Philosophically, the Society aims to eliminate bad habits so the “our original nature of goodness can again shine brightly, guiding our thoughts and actions.” This will be accomplished through compassion, volunteerism, and service to others. Student volunteers become instructors, who then teach Tai Chi to new students. In some cases, Tai Chi may be taught by the Society as an integrated meditation art, as well.
According to the TTC Society website, all instructors are accredited and must meet the standards set by Master Moy and must continue to upgrade.
In my next blog, I will explain how TTC differs from traditional Tai Chi as well as explaining some of the controversy surrounding TTC.