Origin and Development
There are many different tales of tai chi chuan beginnings and development. One version has it that Zhang San-Feng had a dream on the Holy Mountain Wu-Dang, during which the legendary Emperor Xuan-Wu told him about tai chi chuan. Thus tai chi chuan was a gift from the gods. Today we know that in the 17th century tai chi chuan was developed by the Chen family in the He-Nan Province of China. However, the present from has come through many changes since then. Chang-Quan was handed down by Chen Wang Ting. It was named after the Chang Jiang River, longest river in china, because the movements looked like the endlessly moving and flowing waters.

Chang Quan consists of thirteen basic movements, and is still called the "Thirteen Form"(shi-san-shi). The eight basic hand movements and the five basic foot movements are very much like the art of self defense developed by Qui Ji Guang(1528-1587), a general of the Ming Dynasty. He illustrated this art in the Quan Jing,(Book of Boxing). This was a synthesis of the then existing sixteen different schools of boxing(Family of boxing). Thus, Qui Ji Guang created a new form by condensing, selecting, and changing certain movements and sequences. It has been suggested that TaiChi chuan had its origin in this style of fighting.

Wang Zong Yuo(1736-1795), a master in the art of self defense, described this new boxing style in his book Tai Ji Quan Lun, aa Discourse in Tai Chi Quan. He emphasized, among other things, the connection between this new school of boxing and the philosophy of Ying-Yang. He gave it the name Tai Chi Quan.

From 1850 on, tai chi quan quickly spread from the He-Nan Province throughout China, although many profound changes took place along the way. The most explosive and forceful elements were taken out. What remained were the gentle and relaxing movements, and they remain, to this day, the accepted form.

Tai chi quan is used not only by athletes but also by children, senior citizens and even the frail, because it is so easy to do. It can also be used to prevent and treat illness and increase good health.