Terms & Definitions
The study of Tai Chi Qi Gong brings with it the use of many ideas, terms and definitions that may not be familiar. Below is a guide to what those terms are and ways they can be defined. This is not meant to represent a definitive resource but to give a simple statement relating to each term or definition.
Chan Si Gong - Silk reeling exercises
Chen Family - family which developed the Chen Style Tai Chi routine
Chen Style - style of Tai Chi Chuan developed by the Chen family from Shaolin monk trainings
Chi (Qi) - said to be the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things; in traditional Chinese medicine the balance of negative (yin) and positive (yang) forms in the body is believed to be essential for good health
Dan Tien - the abdominal energy field, or field of elixir, said to reside about three inches below the navel. Facilitates transfer of power
Essential Forms - the Chen Style 18 Essential Forms that are the basis for much of a complete routine during Tai Chi practice. At Jing Wei Tai Chi, these forms are practiced regularly before attempting more complex and longer routines
External Work - the physical movement involved in Tai Chi practice
Form - a coordinated movement or set of movements that when joined with other forms becomes the practice that a student aspires to perfect
Internal Work - the meditative and breathing aspects of Tai Chi practice
Jing - 精 energy, perfect, excellent, refined, proficient
Kua - body parts responsible for integration of the upper and lower body. The ball joints of the hips
Lao Tzu - author or authors of the Tao Te Ching
Martial Arts - also known as fighting systems, martial arts are bodies of codified practices or traditions of training for unarmed and armed combat, without the use of guns and other modern weapons. People study martial arts for various reasons including fitness, self-cultivation (meditation), mental/character development, and self-defense
Push Hands - this form of Tai Chi involves the joining of two individuals into common practice. While 'attached' by the arms, students move the whole body to perfect their balance and focusing skills
Qi - pronounced Chi
Qi Gong - translates to 'energy work'. An essential and integral component of Tai Chi practice
Silk Reeling - also known as 'Thread Twining' and spirals, this flowing form of internal and external exercise benefits Tai Chi students and those studying the art of Push Hands
Sun Tzu - author of 'The Art of War'
Tai Chi - common abbreviated form of Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Chuan - translates to 'grand ultimate fist. Tai Chi Chuan is considered one of the more ancient martial arts and the basis for other styles of Tai Chi Chuan
Tao - The Way. The continual cosmic process of harmonious motions and activity between the yin and the yang.
Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu's classic Chinese text on the Tao
Wei - 湋 to flow back
Wu Wei - the art of doing by not doing! Learning a skill so that it becomes embedded, let go and it will then happen
Yang - In traditional Chinese thought, this is one of the two elements that form the universe, and is present in every living thing, ideally existing in harmony with yang. Yang represents 'sunlight', 'positive' or 'hot'. Traditional Chinese practitioners believe that if one or other of these components is thrown out of balance, it can lead to illness. Herbal medicines are classified according to the yin or yang component they characterize
Yin - In traditional Chinese thought, this is one of the two elements that form the universe, and is present in every living thing, ideally existing in harmony with yang. Yin represents 'dark', 'negative' or 'cold'. Traditional Chinese practitioners believe that if one or other of these components is thrown out of balance, it can lead to illness. Herbal medicines are classified according to the yin or yang component they characters
Yin Yang Symbol - These opposites constantly interact and balance each other. When out of balance they cause disharmony in the body, mind and spirit, leading to illness. They are represented by the classic yin-yang or Tai Chi symbol
Zen - A school or division of Buddhism characterized by techniques designed to produce enlightenment. In particular, Zen emphasizes various sorts of meditative practices, which are supposed to lead the practitioner to a direct insight into the fundamental character of reality
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