What is Tai chi

The full name is tai chi chuan, or taijiquan. But it is often abbreviated as tai chi, or taiji.
The following are all different spellings of the same word.

• Tai chi (Say “Tai chee”)
• Taiji (Say “Tai jee”)
• taiji
• Tai chi Chuan (Say “Tai chi chuan”)
• T’ai chi chu’an (Say “Tai jee chuan”)
• Taijiquan (Say “Tai jee chuan”)
• tàijíquán
• Taiji quan
• Taai gikh Kyuhn
• 太極拳
• 太极拳

“Tai chi” or “Taiji” means “supreme polarity” and refers to the dualistic nature of the universe. It is represented by the “tai chi diagram” (taiji tu), which is also referred to as the yin-yang symbol.

“Chuan” or “Quan” (say “chwan”), means “fist” or “boxing” or “exercise routine”, or “martial art”

So, Tai chi is the exercise, or martial art based on the principles of yin and yang.