Taijiquan (or Tai chi chuan) is generally translated by “Boxing of the ultimate fist” or “Boxing of the supreme ridge”. The taiji results from the ceaseless union of the breath yin and yang which are opposed and is supplemented as well in the human body as in the remainder of the universe. The taijiquan belongs to the internal current (nei jia) of Chinese martial arts (wu shu). These arts, in traditional China, were regarded as the royal path to acquire a better knowledge and self-control (gong fu). Heritage of the old Chinese funds (shamanism, alchemy), expression of taoist wisdom, internal arts give the means of dialogue with the forces of nature and of changing internally. The legend locates the creation of the taijiquan at the end of the dynasty of Song (960-1279). The eldest historical sources go back to the end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

Among internal arts we find:

• the taijiquan/boxing of the supreme ridge
• the xingyiquan/boxes of body and spirit
• the baguazhang/palm of the 8 trigrams
• the Qi gong/work of the breath
• the nei gong/internal work

The taijiquan is a traditional internal art of taoist origin. Its practice and its teaching consequently implies the concepts of creation (art), of transmission (tradition), of esotericism (intern), magic and mystic (taoist).

The “taiji dance” reproduces, mimes, symbolizes the combat/communion of the paramount forces. For a few decades internal arts have been a success growing apart from China. They answer a need for resourcing and reenchantment of the world.