What is the difference between these names and why are there different spellings?
Tai chi, Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung are the way these words are spelled using the Wades-Giles romanization system for the Mandrain Chinese language which was widely used before 1979. Pinyin is now the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into English. Taiji, Taijiquan and Qigong are how these words are spelled using Pinyin.
Another source of confusion for many Americans is the common use of the word Tai Chi to describe two very different things. "Tai Chi" can refer to Tai Chi Chuan or Tai Chi Chih, a system created by Justin Stone, an American. His system is largely comprised of 19 seperate movements. Tai Chi Chuan is a traditional practice done by millions of people in China and all over the world which looks like slow motion Kung fu. There are several styles of Taijiquan, each style looks different. The most well known, Chen, Yang, Wu, Hao and Sun, carry a family name and lineage. Some styles are named after places (Wudang for example)
or a famous Master. Ye style is named after Master Ye Dami, one of Chen Man Ching's primary teachers.
Chen style, one of the oldest styles, alternates between graceful, flowing motions and more dynamic, explosive movements. Yang style is the most popular in the world and is noted for its slow, even tempo from beginning to end. The Chinese government charged a comittee with the task of creating a 5-7 minute routine for the well being of its general population in 1955. The Yang style 24 Short form was the result of these efforts. This is the one that has been practiced for decades in parks and public spaces throught China. I teach this 24 form as well as the Yang 85 long form. More scientific studies have been done on the health benefits of Taijiquan than any other alternative practice.
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