Tai chi chuan, also known as tai chi, is a form of Chinese martial arts which has been practiced for centuries. As opposed to other martial arts which are practiced for the purpose of fighting, tai chi focuses on internal meditation and defense. Fan tai chi is but one form of tai chi which breaks from the traditional tai chi chuan and further focuses on meditation and the body. As tai chi began to be adopted and changed within holistic movements, less attention was paid to defense and more was given to its potential health benefits through breathing techniques and relaxation. Fan tai chi is very similar to sword tai chi, except that the object used to focus a person’s movement and will is not a weapon.
Sometimes spelled “Thai chi,” the martial art translates to “Supreme Ultimate Fist.” Unlike other martial arts, where the emphasis is on the body and making it tougher, fan tai chi is more about aligning the forces of the body, making it more of an art. Due to this, it has grown in popularity with those looking for a way to meditate through physical movements. During the exercise, movements are designed to align the body and keep it in rhythm with the mind and spirit, which is said to have benefits in physical health and stress relief.
Some practices of tai chi, such as sword tai chi, do still use weapons. Most of these weapons, however, are used for aesthetics or to focus the practitioner’s will on the object and movements. The fan used in fan tai chi operates much the same way. It is common to see these movements during celebrations or incorporated into a dance.
Although there are those that still follow tai chi chuan for its martial applications, its modern popularity has caused a number of its teachers to focus solely on those aspects that emphasize its health applications. Although competitions are still held, the aesthetics of its movements are emphasized rather than one-on-one matches. This form of martial art has effectively evolved into a personal practice for the betterment of an individual’s health.
There are many fan tai chi teachers around the world, and the martial art’s popularity has given rise to many ways of learning. Some classes are available online, while others may be available in the form of digital video disks (DVDs). Those individuals with local classes in their area may wish to receive the one-on-one training offered.