Traditional and Competition Tai Chi

Traditional Tai Chi

Traditional Tai Chi consists of two parts: Tai Chi Routines and Push Hand exercises. Tai Chi Routines are a series of Tai Chi movements that facilitate individual practice. Through the practice of routines, understanding the coordination of Tai Chi movements, mind and energy flow (Chi), one gains stability and relaxed alertness. It is the prerequisite for Push Hand training that is carried out with a partner to feel and counter opponent's force.

Competition Tai Chi

Since the 1950s, the Chinese authorities have made tremendous effort to promote Tai Chi as a community sport. At the same time, China has hosted many national Tai Chi competitions. For that purpose, the Chinese Sport Commission has successively compiled different new Tai Chi routines with guidelines on how these forms and movements shall be presented, and the scoring standards for the difficulty and complexity of such movements. This kind of competition routines became a way for the masses to keep fit and a special competition event.

However, it should be noted that the difference lies in the method of practice, focusing on Tai Chi principles or merely presentation of external forms, instead of distinguishing by routines alone. A traditional Tai Chi Routine focus only on presentation cannot be considered as Traditional Tai Chi.