There are eight different schools of Tai Chi Chuan, the authentic name of the greatly popular Chinese discipline, Tai Chi. One matter common among these different types is the name, which in plain Chinese means big fist. Ironically, Tai Chi Chuan is considered the gentlest of all the Chinese martial arts. While this is true however, it really is the deadliest. This happens because the strategy behind it is to keep the body nimble and strong, akin to a strong piece of metal rod that can be bent easily to suit the purpose. By far, the best visual illustration of the art and practice of Tai Chi is the liquid metal concept popularized in the Terminator movies.
Thus, the perfect Tai Chi warrior is flexible enough to assume liquid and solid metal-like compositions at any stage during a fight. Of course, nobody attains such ideal in the literal sense, but this is the lofty objective, just as most ancient Chinese fight arts have one, like flying in the air as depicted in the Crouching Tiger movie and a host of other Hong Kong blockbusters.
As one would probably imagine, it takes time to master the discipline. Unlike the karate kid, however, one does not arrive due to the use of brute force. On the contrary, the theory is to go through the steps slowly but surely. In this sense then, the foundation of Tai Chi could very well be likened to The Force in the tradition of the Star Wars flicks. Master Yoda in the Jedi order could make a good example of a Tai Chi champion.
He appears to be small and weak, but that is all external. Internally, Yoda is powerful on account of his strong mind, which has been trained to manipulate material objects around him as though these were toys. Similar to Yoga levitation techniques sprinkled a little bit with Yuri Geller psychokinetic power, the master is in control of the game. So far, the parallels involving the Tai Chi and Jedi arts are as near as they can get.
The parallels between the Jedi and Tai Chi masters preparing for war end when you contemplate that the former develop their minds while the latter work to prepare their bodies. Nevertheless, both Jedi and Tai Chi Chuan warriors prophesy the same thing: that in time war will come over the not so distant future, hence the requirement for preparation. When that inescapable time comes, both combatants will be at the top of their game all because they have managed to prepare for the big event in their own exclusive ways.
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