Tai Chi is the study of how your body works, meditation and a martial art, all rolled into one.
Based on the teachings of Taoism, it embodies a series of gradually changing movements.

The origins of Tai Chi
T´ai Chi Chuan or (for short) Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese sport form that has its origins in the times of the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD). Its outward form is a slow, gentle movement; practised in a completely relaxed fashion. Tai Chi is often described as a method of meditation, combining movement and breathing exercises. The body becomes fitter and the general physical condition is improved.

Another term for Tai Chi is Shadow Boxing. The movements in Tai Chi are slow and fluid and the breathing is relaxed. The literal translation of Tai Chi is great timber, and refers to the great central timber pole that goes deep into the earth and right up into the dome or pitch of a roof and supports the entire structure of a building. The basis is the Taoist teachings concerning yin and yang. Laotse had already taught that man is only able to find his own sense of inner balance when he submits to a higher order, and instead of being active, is still. He explains that it is impossible to force anything and that it’s of no use trying to make something happen by force of will, because what will happen, will happen, without needing to be forced.

The Chinese see the human body as a microcosm, that reflects the entire cosmos on a smaller scale. They believe that the same energy that exists within nature and the universe is also present in man, and that we can have an influence over it.

A fundamental basis of the theory of Taoism is therefore the idea of perpetual flowing movement as present in all things. All natural phenomena can be seen as a perpetual rise and fall of cosmic energy: hard and soft, inflexible and flexible, light and dark, yin and yang. These opposites connect and divide in one continuous harmonious movement and therefore combine to form a balanced whole. Any interruption of this balance causes chaos and disturbs the natural flow of change. Man has to be in total harmony with nature and the universe to achieve this equilibrium. Health is therefore seen as maintaining the balance of the polar energies within ourselves. 
 

Theory of Tai Chi
The Chinese believe that the so-called, “Chi”, is the life energy that flows through everyone. If this flow is interrupted, problems and illnesses occur. Tai Chi exercises are therefore a method of keeping the life energy flowing through the body and therefore raising your general level of health. The meditative character of the Tai chi exercises benefit the psyche. Those who regularly exercise become, as they say in China, as flexible as a child, healthy as a lumberjack and as serene as a sage.