| Popularly referred to as a form of shadow | | | | has evolved into a fitness regime. The |
| boxing, Tai Chi has fast become a popular | | | | movements are slow, controlled, and flowing. The |
| method of fitness. | | | | modern Tai Chi movements still maintain old |
| Early Tai Chi practices can be traced back as far | | | | names such as 'Creeping low like a snake', 'Carry |
| as the 9th century when Li-Tao-Tzu, a Taoist | | | | tiger to mountain', and 'White stork spreads wings'. |
| philosopher developed 37 moves. In the 11th | | | | Whilst the slow, precise movements develop |
| century, in China a priest at a Shaolin temple | | | | balance, the mid way crouch position enhances |
| observed a snake fending off the advances of a | | | | muscle control. The deep and slow breathing that |
| preying bird, and ultimately killing it. This prompted | | | | accompanies all the movements increase blood |
| Cheung San Feng, the priest to develop a series | | | | circulation whilst completely relaxing you. This |
| of movements incorporating the controlled | | | | complete set of movements, mostly 108 moves |
| movements of the snake together with other | | | | known as 'the set' are believed to balance out the |
| trainings. This became a popular self defence | | | | complementary but opposite aspects of a |
| mechanism which was taught far and wide. | | | | person's being - in other words the yin and yang |
| From self defence, this traditional Tai Chi Chuan | | | | or male and female or dark and light aspects. |