World Tai Chi Day 2025 will be celebrated on April 26th. It’s a global event aimed at promoting health, wellness, and mindfulness through Tai Chi practice. Note that not all qigong is tai chi. However, all tai chi is qigong. A distinction that is good to understand when an individual chooses to make the commitment of time, energy and resources to learn a time-proven and legitimate lineage of these practices.
In 1314, at the age of 71, Chen Wangting (or Chen Sheng Feng, as sometimes referenced in folklore) is said to have moved to Wudang Mountain. Inspired by an intense encounter between a snake and a bird, he observed how softness could overcome hardness and how yielding could neutralize force. Combining the deadly precision of their movements with his extensive knowledge of military Longfist (Changquan) techniques, he began to refine his martial practice.
To this foundation, he integrated:
- The dynamic interplay of Yin and Yang, expresses the natural balance of opposing forces.
- The Five Element (Wu Xing) energy movements of ancient Taoists.
- Ancient Dao Yin exercises promote internal health and longevity.
- The environmental harmony of the I Ching emphasizes adaptability and flow.
- The philosophy of the Tao Te Ching guides the practitioner toward a path of spiritual harmony and natural wisdom.
This synthesis evolved into what became known as Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan or “supreme ultimate fist”), later branching into the Five Element Tai Chi system.
Tai Chi can be likened to:
- A doctor, as it promotes healing and internal balance.
- A soldier, as it is an effective method of self-defense.
- Vitality for the elderly and a focus for the young.
It is an exercise that strengthens the body, a meditation that calms the mind, a combat system that trains awareness and control, and a path of personal development that leads to deeper understanding. Tai Chi is like yoga in its pursuit of flexibility and balance, like dance in its graceful movements, and like self-defense in its strategic applications.
Ultimately, Tai Chi seeks to cultivate harmony with nature, instill discipline through spirituality, foster health and resilience in the individual, and align one’s being with the heavens. It is hundreds of years old, a living expression of the Dao, or the Way of Tai Chi Chuan.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:
http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan
My holistic health blog is available at:
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/
http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
Jim Moltzan
407-234-0119
United Martial Arts Association 