Tai Chi Chuan translates as ‘Supreme Ultimate Fist’ – the ‘fist’ part underpins the martial element of the art, which many people are still unaware of. During my travels in China and Hong Kong I was surprised by how many practitioners of the art were unable to translate the form into function. Training with a martial focus, tai chi chuan is as arduous and demanding as any other martial art. However, even if you are not interested in the fighting aspects there are still many other health benefits of practising forms and pushing hands, including improved balance, coordination, flexibility, mindfulness and improved respiration and proprioception.

I will be writing more on the benefits of tai chi in the future, but meanwhile, if you want to find out more there are lots of articles and inspiring quotes written on the different aspects of Wu-Cheng Tai Chi Chuan via the various Five Winds Groups on Facebook.

Here is an interview with Ian Cameron, which also describes some of the health benefits:

https://taiji-forum.com/tai-chi-taiji/tai-chi-interviews/tai-chi-interview-ian-cameron/

Here are also some clips of Ian demonstrating the forms and martial applications of Wu-Cheng Tai Chi Chuan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx9IYxlxv60

https://youtu.be/cEj8dPsRano?si=Cn67P-K_RbJJU7nE

There are lots of research-based articles on the health benefits of tai chi chuan, including:

Harvard Research: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-tai-chi

National Library of Medicine, Canada: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9844554/

BBC Radio 4’s ‘Just One Thing’ with the inspiring Michael Mosley:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/18gmYMx2ntW6Sdyl3fTH0Gw/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-tai-chi