Editing Tai chi (section)

== Practice ==
Traditionally, the foundational tai chi practice consists of learning and practicing a specific solo forms or routines ({{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Taolu (martial arts)|taolu]]}}).<ref name=":1" /> This entails learning a routine sequence of movements that emphasize a straight spine, [[abdominal breathing]] and a natural range of motion. Tai chi relies on knowing the appropriate [[I Ching|change]] in response to outside forces, as well as on yielding to and redirecting an attack, rather than meeting it with opposing force.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wong Kiew Kit |title=The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles |date=1996 |publisher=Element Books Ltd |isbn=978-1-85230-792-9}}</ref> Physical fitness is also seen as an important step towards effective [[self-defense]].

Tai chi movements were inspired by animals, especially birds and leopards.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clayre |first=Alasdair |title=The Heart of the Dragon |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin]] |year=1985 |isbn=978-0-395-35336-3 |edition=First American |location=Boston |pages=43 |author-link=Alasdair Clayre}}</ref>

There are also numerous other supporting solo practices such as:<ref name=":1" />
* Sitting meditation: The empty, focus and calm the mind and aid in opening the [[microcosmic orbit]].
* Standing meditation ({{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[zhan zhuang]]}}) to raise the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|yang qi}}
* {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Qigong]]}} to mobilize the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[qi]]}}
* [[Acupressure]] massage to develop awareness of {{tlit|zh|pinyin|qi}} channels
* [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] is taught to advanced students in some traditional schools.<ref name="Wu2006">{{Cite book |last=Wu |first=Kung-tsao |title=Wu Family T'ai Chi Ch'uan |script-title=zh:吳家太極拳 |publisher=Chien-ch'uan T'ai-chi Ch'uan Association |year=2006 |isbn=0-9780499-0-X}}{{page needed|date=May 2013}}</ref>

There is no scientific evidence for the existence of qi,<ref name="Dunning">{{Skeptoid|id=4411|number=411|title=Your Body's Alleged Energy Fields|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>
nor any demonstrating the effectiveness of acupressure<ref name=Dent>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dent HE, Dewhurst NG, Mills SY, Willoughby M | title = Continuous PC6 wristband acupressure for relief of nausea and vomiting associated with acute myocardial infarction: a partially randomised, placebo-controlled trial | journal = Complementary Therapies in Medicine | volume = 11 | issue = 2 | pages = 72–7 | date = June 2003 | pmid = 12801491 | doi = 10.1016/s0965-2299(03)00058-x }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Colquhoun D, Novella SP | title = Acupuncture is theatrical placebo | journal = Anesthesia and Analgesia | volume = 116 | issue = 6 | pages = 1360–3 | date = June 2013 | pmid = 23709076 | doi = 10.1213/ANE.0b013e31828f2d5e | s2cid = 207135491 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | title = Evidence-based Non-pharmacological Therapies for Palliative Cancer Care | author = William Chi-Sing Cho | publisher = Springer Science & Business Media | date = 2013 | isbn = 9789400758339}}</ref>
or traditional Chinese medicine<ref name="Eigenschink Dearing Dablander et al 2020">{{cite journal |last1=Eigenschink |first1=Michael |last2=Dearing |first2=Lukas |last3=Dablander |first3=Tom E. |last4=Maier |first4=Julian |last5=Sitte |first5=Harald H. |title=A critical examination of the main premises of Traditional Chinese Medicine |journal=Wiener klinische Wochenschrift |date=May 2020 |volume=132 |issue=9–10 |pages=260–273 |doi=10.1007/s00508-020-01625-w |pmid=32198544 |pmc=7253514 }}</ref><ref name="swallow">{{cite journal | vauthors =  | title = Hard to swallow | journal = Nature | volume = 448 | issue = 7150 | pages = 105–6 | date = July 2007 | pmid = 17625521 | doi = 10.1038/448106a | quote = Constructive approaches to divining the potential usefulness of traditional therapies are to be welcomed. But it seems problematic to apply a brand new technique, largely untested in the clinic, to test the veracity of traditional Chinese medicine, when the field is so fraught with pseudoscience. In the meantime, claims made on behalf of an uncharted body of knowledge should be treated with the customary skepticism that is the bedrock of both science and medicine. | doi-access = free | bibcode = 2007Natur.448S.105. }}</ref>
beyond that of [[placebo]] treatment.

Further training entails learning {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[tuishou]]}} (push hands drills), {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[sanshou]]}} (striking techniques), free sparring, grappling training, and weapons training.<ref name=":1" />

The fundamental training concepts of the art are detailed in a few dozen classical texts originally written in [[classical Chinese]] by tai chi masters, the "[[tai chi classics]]". In these texts, it is noted that the physiological and kinesiological aspects of the body's movements are characterized by the circular motion and rotation of the pelvis, based on the metaphors of the pelvis as the hub and the arms and feet as the spokes of a wheel. Furthermore, the respiration of breath is coordinated with the physical movements in a state of deep relaxation, rather than muscular tension.<ref>{{cite book|last=Zhang|first=Yun|year=2016|title=The Taijiquan Classics|asin=B071DT7NZ7}}</ref>

Tai chi is a complete martial art system with a full range of bare-hand movement sets and weapon forms, such as the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|jian}} (straight sword), {{tlit|zh|pinyin|dao}} (curved sword), and {{tlit|zh|pinyin|qiang}} (spear), which are based on the dynamic relationship between {{tlit|zh|pinyin|yin}} and {{tlit|zh|pinyin|yang}}. While tai chi is typified by its slow movements, many styles (including the three most popular: [[Yang-style tai chi|Yang]], [[Wu-style tai chi|Wu]], and [[Chen-style tai chi|Chen]]) have secondary, faster-paced forms. Some traditional schools teach martial applications of the postures of different forms ([[Taolu (martial arts)|taolu]]).

=== Solo practices ===
{{Further|List of tai chi forms}}

[[File:Taijiquan forms - Chenjiagou.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Painting in {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Chen-style tai chi#Chen Village (Chenjiagou)|Chenjiagou]]}}, illustrating {{tlit|zh|pinyin|taolu}} according to the [[Chen style]] of tai chi]]

{{tlit|zh|pinyin|Taolu}} (solo "forms") are choreographed sets of movements practiced alone or in unison as a group. Tai chi is often characterized by slow movements in Taolu practice, and one of the reasons is to develop body awareness. Accurate, repeated practice of the solo routine is said to retrain posture, encourage circulation throughout students' bodies, maintain flexibility, and familiarize students with the martial sequences implied by the forms. Usually performed standing, solo forms have also been adapted for seated practice.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Quarta |first=Cynthia W. |url=https://www.healingtaichi.com/ |title=Tai Chi in a Chair |date=2001 |publisher=Fair Winds Press |isbn=1-931412-60-X |edition=first |access-date=2018-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820172557/https://www.healingtaichi.com/ |archive-date=2018-08-20 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Weapon practice ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
{{multiple image
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| header            = ''Taijijian''
| width             = 175
| image1            = Two Jian.JPG
| caption1          = A pair of {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[jian]]}} with their [[scabbard]]s
| image2            = 10th all china games Jian pair 406 cropped.jpg
| caption2          = {{tlit|zh|pinyin|Wushu jian}} pair event at the [[Wushu (sport)|10th All China games]]
}}

Tai chi practices involving weapons also exist. Weapons training and [[fencing]] applications often employ:
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[jian]]}}, a straight double-edged sword, practiced as {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[taijijian]]}};
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[dao (saber)|dao]]}}, a heavier curved saber, sometimes called a broadsword;
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[tessen|tieshan]]}}, a folding fan, also called {{tlit|zh|pinyin|shan}} and practiced as {{tlit|zh|pinyin|taijishan}};
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Gun (staff)|gun]]}}, a 2&nbsp;m long wooden staff and practiced as {{tlit|zh|pinyin|taijigun}};
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Qiang (spear)|qiang]]}}, a 2&nbsp;m long [[spear]] or a 4&nbsp;m long [[lance]].

More exotic weapons include:
* the large {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Dao (Chinese sword)|dadao]]}} and {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[podao]]}} sabres;
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Ji (halberd)|ji]]}}, or halberd;
* the [[Stick-fighting|cane]];
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Rope dart|sheng biao]]}}, or rope dart;
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[three sectional staff|sanjiegun]]}}, or three sectional staff;
* the {{tlit|zh|pinyin|[[Wind and fire wheels|feng huo lun]]}}, or wind-and-fire wheels;
* the [[lasso]];
* the [[whip]], [[chain whip]] and steel whip.
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