Tai Chi Chuan comes from China and derived from Taoism the fundamental tenet of Taoism is the concept and relationship of opposites, the Yin and Yang. In a philosophical sense as well as material sense Yin and Yang explain everything in the universe, and everything in the universe can be said to posses Yin and Yang - day/night, life/death, positive/negative action/reaction. Taoists believe that the universe was formed from Yin and Yang and that their reaction is said to form the eight entities that effect the formation of all things, known collectively as the Ba Kua. They are: Heaven, Earth, Light, Air, Water, Fire, Mountains, Seas and Rivers. Opposites normally repel one and other, but in the Yin and Yang relationship they act and react and when their reaction reaches it extremity, they naturally revert to the opposite direction because each contain the seed of the other symbolised by the opposite coloured dot within their composition. So whilst there is opposition there is also harmony and unity this goes on in a never ending cycle. This cycle of harmony is what the Taoist were seeking, The Tao or The Way, to be living in unity with heaven and earth. So, Tai Chi has it is core this idea of harmony with nature and the world around us. If this was important for health and well being in times past, then it is even more important today when we are all lessening our connection to nature and stress and anxiety are on the increase as well as living a much more sedentary lifestyle with its associated health problems. Tai Chi is as complicated as it is simple, as frustrating as it is exhilarating, as relaxing as it is strenuous, as testing as it is rewarding, it never ceases to be interesting and challenging it raises your motivation and tests your determination, it will ask you hard questions about yourself - but it will reward you with - that which money cannot buy.
