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Tai Ji Quan


Taijiquan literally translates to "supreme fist", incorporating the elements of Taoism and Chinese philosophy in this unique form of martial arts. Its main elements include nei gung (inner strength), tui shou (response drills) and san shou (defense techniques). Contrary to other fighting styles, Tai Ji Quan is usually practised using exceedingly, almost painfully slow movements. In fact, the slower they are performed, the harder it is. The most important element when fighting with Tai Ji is to maintain a calm mind, and to keep your entire body relaxed even in combat, hence it is called a "soft" style of combat. Tai Ji seldom has lethal attacks, but opponents will find it next to impossible to land a clean blow on Tai Ji users, infuriating them to no end.

The three basic steps involved when studying Tai Ji include:
Health - Tai Ji's health training concentrates on relieving pain or stress on the body. In later stages of training, by directing their Ki to different parts of the body, users are able to speed up healing processes and relieve pain.
Meditation - Also can be interpreted as maintaining homeostasis and optimum health.
Martial art - Tai Ji is the study of yielding to a change in outside forces, and practitioners will never meet an attack with an opposing force, and will very rarely dodge attacks. Instead, they yield and "stick" to oncoming attacks, using the opponent's strength and momentum against themselves.


Stage 1
Users start by meditating and doing various breathing exercises, as well as repeating the same movements again and again. At first they will do it quickly and stiffly, but gradually they will be able to slow the pace down and perform the exercises slowly. As they advance, they will often hold the same stance for long periods of time, sometimes for an hour or more. Users first have to get used to the fact that Tai Ji is the polar opposite of common martial arts form, being slow in practice but fast during combat.

Basic form: Grab
Rank E
This is the one of the forms that forms the basis of all attacks in Tai Ji. The user stands in a relaxed stance and raises his right hand. If the opponent throws a punch, the opponent's arm (not fist) will come into contact with the user's arm. The user then brushes the opponent's arm aside, step forwards to close the distance between himself and the opponent, and pushes his body against the opponent's to send him stumbling away, losing his balance.

Basic form: Push
Rank E
As the opponent performs a punch, the user brushes it towards the opponent's chest with his own right arm, step forwards to close the distance between them both, and locks the opponent's arm against their own chest, rendering him immobile for a split second. The user then places his left palm on his right arm and push, sending the opponent stumbling away.

Basic form: Rise and push
Rank D
A useful technique as it can be used whenever the opponent has a limb or limbs outstretched, be it leg or arm. Raising both hands to brush the attacks aside with the "sticking" method, the user steps forward and pushes the opponent with both hands, sending him stumbling away. If the opponent had punched with his arm/s, the user will push the opponent's stomach, leaving him winded. If the opponent had kicked with his leg/s, the user will push the opponent's buttocks, sending him flying and falling onto his face.

Single whip
Rank D
Used when the opponent has struck with one or both arms. The user steps forward to lower his stance, raise one hand to knock the attacks aside, and then use the same hand to grab the opponent's face. A dirtier trick to follow is to stab his fingers into the opponent's eyes, blinding them.


Stage 2
By stage two, users are beginning to grasp the concept of sticking and using the opponent's strength against themselves. The training methods are essentially the same as stage 1, but this time users are usually blindfolded so they can calm themselves and shut themselves away from the rest of the world. Usually they practice in a quiet area, where they cannot be disturbed. Stage 2 is when the attacks start to be offensive, but still using the "sticking" and pushing theories. Stretching exercises are also performed, as flexibility is key to performing the moves with fluidity.

Wings of the Crane
Rank D
This is used when the opponent punches, kicks or sends a flurry of attacks towards the user. The user raises his right hand above his head to brush aside incoming attacks from above, while sweeping with his left hand to deflect blows from below. This inevitably knocks the opponent gently off his feet for a split second. Using this split second, the user raises his left arm, flips the opponent's feet up and slams down with his right hand, sending the opponent face-first into the ground.

March of the Crane
Rank C
Used when the opponent attacks, in whatever way. The user steps forward and sweeps the opponent's outstretched limb aside gently with his left hand, then delivers a stunning blow to the opponent's unprotected torso, with just enough strength to wind. The attack continues 3 times (3 posts), during which when the opponent tries to defend himself by raising an arm or limb, it is again knocked aside and another stunning blow delivered to the chest. By the end of the attacks, the opponent would be greatly stunned.

Grasp the Crane's tail
Rank C
When the opponent's arm is outstretched after a strike, the user raises his right hand and sticks to the opponent's arm, following the arm to grasp the shoulder. At the same time, the user's left hand comes up and grabs the opponent's wrist. In a split second, the user uses the opponent's own power and momentum from the punch, pulling the opponent forwards and down while the user steps forward and sideways at the same time. As the opponent loses his balance, the user strikes the opponent behind the neck with an open handed chop, sending him sprawling onto the ground.


Stage 3
At this stage, the user starts to incorporate Ki into their attacks. They start to feel and regulate the flow of Ki within their own bodies, and practice sending Ki to their arms for attacks. Blindfolded training at this stage is still common, and ambitious practitioners will sometimes put a bowl of water on top of their heads during training to ensure that their core is not wavered, and that they are being smooth and gentle. Attacks at this point suddenly more lethal, and not merely sending opponents stumbling away like before.

Tiger's embrace
Rank C
Raising one arm to deflect and stick to any incoming attack, the user takes a step forwards, possibly locking the opponent's legs with his own so he cannot use any kicking attacks. He then raises his left hand to wrap around back of the opponent's head, and uses the opponent's own momentum to slam his head into the user's own knee, with enough force to break his nose.

White snake's strike
Rank C
The user stands ready with his left arm outstretched, ready to deflect and brush aside any incoming attacks. Once the opponent attacks, with either a punch or kick, user steps in and locks legs with the opponent and prevents him from moving, while the user blocks and bushes aside the incoming attack. At this point, the user will be at an unbalanced and awkward position. The user quickly kicks his feet up, knocking the opponent off his feet and sending him flying away.

Straight kick
Rank C
Just as the opponent raises one leg to kick, the user makes use of this split second when the opponent is only balanced on one leg. Using a fast, blinding forward kick, the user strikes at the opponent's lower abdomen, unbalancing him and sending him sprawling onto the ground.
Straight kick

Advancing strike
Rank B
Whereas it may not sound like it, this is a truly painful technique and offers a glimpse into what stage 4 is like. The user stands relaxed, and when the opponent advances for an attack, the user simply turns sideways and raise one arm to gently deflect and push aside the attacks. At the same time, the user takes a step forward, tackling the opponent's unprotected torso with his shoulder. He then quickly performs a backhand slap onto the opponent's crotch, strengthened with Ki. The result would be the opponent left writhing with pain on the ground.


Stage 4
As seen in Advancing Strike, at this stage the attacks become much more lethal and painful, often aiming to cripple and break the opponent's bones. It is at this point where Tai Ji is seen as a form of fighting that takes as much advantage of the opponent as possible, striking at any possible area, regardless of rules. The user trains by blindfolding themselves and performing push and grab exercises on training partners repetitively, called "tui sho" in Chinese. The user has now mastered manipulating Ki in their own bodies, and at this stage they are able to incorporate the manner of their Ki in their attacks. E.g. fire, lightning, ice, water, etc

Diving into the Abyss
Rank B
The user stands sideways in a relaxed stance, and when the opponent attacks, the user takes a step forward and leans backwards dramatically at the same time. This backwards motion allows the user to avoid any high and middle attacks. Bending his upper torso in a circular motion, the user then ends up in a low, crouching position, his legs spread wide apart and bent. One hand is already held ready with an open palm. Just as the opponent strikes and leaves himself vulnerable, the user strikes at the opponent's crotch with an open-handed stabbing motion. This is enforced with Ki, making it excruciatingly painful for the opponent. It sends the opponent flying away, and probably howling in pain. The name comes from the dramatic backward and ducking motion the user performs.

Shooting the tiger
Rank B
When the opponent strikes, the user makes a small turn sideways and grab the opponent's outstretched arm at the wrist, at the same time making a stunning punch to the opponent's unprotected stomach. The user then bends the outstretched arm, forcing the opponent into an uncomfortable backward position. He then strikes the opponent on the shoulder, sending him sprawling onto the ground, and ends with a lethal punch to the chest strengthened with Ki, with enough force to completely shatter ribs.
Shooting the tiger

Grinding hands
Rank B
When the opponent attacks, with whatever flurry of strikes, the user takes small steps backwards, using both hands to quickly and quietly redirect and deflect the blows. Just when the opponent stretches out one arm, the user quickly deflects it with one arm and delivers a quick chop to the neck with the other arm. If the opponent retaliates with another strike, the user repeats the motion but the other way round, so both sides of the opponent's neck is chopped. When reinforced with Ki, this has enough force to break the opponent's neck.
Grinding hands

Feinting hands
Rank B
Instead of waiting for the opponent to attack, this time the user moves in for an attack of his own. The user takes a step forwards and strikes the opponent's head with a stunning blow, and when the opponent retaliates with his hand, the user quickly brushes it aside and delivers another stunning blow to the skull. This is performed so quickly that it looks only like a blur, and has enough force to crack the opponent's skull.
Feinting hands

Returning the Crane's soul
Rank A
When the opponent punches, the user ducks down and strikes with his right hand at the opponent's rib cage. Without stopping, he rises up and punches the opponent's skull with his left hand. This is done in such blinding fast motions that the opponent almost has no time to attack. When reinforced with Ki, this has enough force to shatter the opponent's ribs and skull.
Returning the Crane's soul


Stage 5
At this stage, the user has become so advanced at the "sticking" method of combat that it is essentially lethal to come into contact with the user. They are now able to fight hand to hand completely blindfolded, and only needs one touch of the opponent's arm to predict correctly where their next position and strike will be. To train, users usually blindfold themselves and fight opponents without using their sight, only relying on their sense of touch to fight, honing their "sticking" method. Anyone who fights these masters will find that they are inevitably being guided and controlled by the users, their attacks always being predicted and always seeming to stand in where the user's next attack will land the hardest. Opponents will also find that masters of Tai Ji are very hard to knock down. This is achieved through breathing exercises and by letting their breath "precipitate" at the bottom of the abdomen.

Bu dao yung
Rank A for training, becomes passive afterwards
This is a skill that becomes passive after achieving stage 5. Users have trained to let their breath "precipitate" at the bottom of the abdomen, making them able to stand their ground, unable to be knocked over or topped by the opponent. When the opponent charges in, either for a body slam or a tackle, they will find themselves rebounded and knocked backwards by their own power. The trick to this is flexibility and to relax; like a bamboo shoot, the user sways and rebounds the opponent's force, using their own power against themselves, leading to them sending themselves flying away.

Closing winds
Rank A
As the opponent moves in for a strike, the user lifts the opponent's arm to head level by the elbow, exposing the previously protected ribcage. He then strikes the ribs with a fierce open palmed strike enhanced by Ki, causing a shattering blow to the opponent's ribcage.
Fierce strike

Crane's finale
Rank S
Only masters of the style are able to perform this move. As the opponent attacks, regardless of any barrage of physical attacks, the user gently sticks to the opponent's limbs and parries them aside. This exposes the weak points of the opponent, and the user ducks down to for an open palmed strike at the opponent's stomach, strong enough to rupture organs when strengthened with Ki. Without stopping, his other arm shoots upwards and delivers a painful uppercut to the jaw with his palm. The user then takes one step forward to close the distance between him and the opponent and delivers a shoulder tackle to the opponent's torso. This sends the opponent flying away, possibly with rib and jaw fractures as well as ruptured organs.