Taijiquan
Taijiquan, or tai chi ch'uan, is one of the three major internal styles of wushu. It incorporates soft, slow movements as opposed to the hard, fast movements seen in most styles of Chinese martial arts. The purpose is to develop internal energy (qi or ch'i). Although it is actually an effective system for personal defense, most practitioners learn taiji for health and exercise. The graceful, elegant movements provide an ideal low impact form of exercise. Taiji has also been proven as an effective way to decrease stress, improve circulation, and promote longevity. Many serious wushu athletes practice taiji to create balance with their external martial arts training.
