太极拳

太极拳

太极拳是以中国传统文化中的儒、释、道、武、医等思想为理论基础，以太极阴阳哲理为健身和技击技术应用的指导思想而发展起来的一种中国传统武术。太极拳的创始起源尚未有定论，一说起源于河南省焦作市陈家沟村。

太极拳综合历代各家拳法，形成了含蓄内敛、连绵不断、以柔克刚、急缓相间、行云流水的拳术风格。习练者用意念统领全身，通过反复习练，进入意、气、形、神趋于圆融一体的至高境界，达到修身养性、陶冶情操、强身健体、益寿延年的目的。

太极拳所蕴含的“阴阳循环”“天人合一”的中国传统哲学思想和养生观念，丰富了人们对宇宙、自然和人体运行规律的认知；“尊师重道”“学拳不可狂、不可满”等价值观念，潜移默化地涵养着人们平和、包容、友善的心性，在促进身心健康、推动人与人和谐共处、增强社会凝聚力等方面发挥着重要作用。

目前，太极拳已传播到150多个国家和地区，习练者达三亿多人，是世界上参与人数最多、最受人们喜爱的武术运动和健身活动之一，成为促进中外文化交流的重要纽带。2020年12月，太极拳被列入联合国教科文组织“人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录”。

Taijiquan

Taijiquan, also known as tai chi chuan or tai chi, is a set of traditional Chinese martial arts that has its theoretical roots in Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, and ancient ideas about exercise and medicine. Its exercising and attacking techniques are practiced following the taiji and yin-yang theories. There is no conclusion about the origin of Taijiquan yet, but some argue that it was created in Chenjiagou Village in Jiaozhuo, Henan Province.

A combination of elements of various boxing schools, Taijiquan is known for its reserved and flowing style that emphasizes overcoming the hard with the soft and balancing the swift with the slow. Practitioners control their whole body with the will and keep practicing till reaching an ultimate realm of unity of the will, qi (an internal force or power), body, and mind, thus achieving physical, mental and moral advancement.

The philosophical concepts and regimen contained in Taijiquan, such as the "cycle of yin and yang" and "man is an integral part of nature," enrich people's perception of the universe, nature, and the way that the human body works. The values such as "respecting the teacher and moral norms" and "boxing practitioners should never be arrogant and conceited" make people peaceful, inclusive, and kind. Taijiquan plays an important role in promoting people's physical and mental health, fostering harmonious interpersonal relations, and enhancing social cohesion.

Taijiquan is now practiced by over 300 million people in more than 150 countries and regions. It is one of the forms of martial arts and fitness activities with the most followers and greatest popularity and has become a bond of cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. In December 2020, it was inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.