What is Tai Chi and Taiji Quan (太極拳 / 太极拳)?

Simplistically, Tai Chi or Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan 太極拳) is a Chinese Martial Art that today is generally focused on it's health & healing aspects, and is practiced as an enjoyable health nourishing exercise that helps you maintain good health, relaxation & vitality. The graceful movements of this Martial Art reflect a history of centuries of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Daoist (Taoist) Philosophy, which western science is also gradually confirming & validating.

The regular practice of Tai Chi has been shown to have many benefits to the health and well being of people of all ages and fitness levels. It is particularly helpful for those wishing to improve mobility & balance, relieve stress, strengthen the immune system increase one's health & vitality, as well as recuperating from illness or injury.

Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳) is simply an older way of romanising the Chinese word 'Taiji Quan' (太極拳) into English. The same as we once romanised (& pronounced) the Capital of China as "Peking" (北京), and nowadays we use "Beijing" (北京). You can see the Chinese Characters are the same.

Tai Chi / Taiji is simply an abbreviated form of the full name Tai Chi Chuan / Taiji Quan

Tai Chi includes the practice of Qi Gong (see below)

Regarding Yin- Yang philosophy: It often expressed that Tai Chi is the Yang aspect and Qi Gong is the Yin aspect

---

What is Qi Gong (氣功 / 气功)?

Again simplistically, Qi Gong (氣功),or Qigong/Chi Kung, are forms of Deep Breathing Health Nourishing Exercises. They involve aspects of stillness, movement, stretching, flexing/tensing, combined with deep abdominal breathing. For convenience, Meditation Practices can also be included under this term.

Benefits of Qi Gong are increasingly recognized worldwide and within scientific community. Qigong benefits range from mind relaxation and sharpening, stress relief to increased energy, vitality and helping to heal degenerative and chronic diseases.

Qigong exercises integrate body postures, movement, breathing and meditation for a healthy life, spiritual advancement and/or martial arts training.

It is a 5,000-year-old Chinese healthcare modality that has endured the test of time.

Qi Gong can be practiced as a stand alone Art, however it is very often practiced together with Tai Chi, and infact Tai Chi includes Qi Gong within it's practice.

Regarding Yin- Yang philosophy: It often expressed that Tai Chi is the Yang aspect and Qi Gong is the Yin aspect