Tai Chi Chuan for the past 50 years has been undergoing a constant state of dilution; while at the same time its popularity rises among people across the world. A commonality exists among this immense growing number of practitioners: the idea that tai chi is a non-strenuous, meditative, vitality building exercise, designed with the soul purpose of building health for those who are aged beyond the capability of arduous physical exercise. Further polluting tai chi are the teachers who are promoting, teaching, and advertising this tainted idea of tai chi. How does this happen? How can the teachers be teaching corrupted methods? What is pure tai chi? Most importantly, how does one know how to distinguish between pure and poisoned tai chi?

Many teachers of tai chi, whether taught to them or not, are teaching ancient methods of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). TCM is heavily based on healing practices of daoism or taoism, which involve the concepts of qi or vital energy, spirituality through the interconnection of the world and the universe, astrology, and phenology The oldest known text in Chinese history that covers TCM is known as Huangdi neijing or The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Medicine. Teachers such as Dr. Yang Jwing Ming, a known authority on tai chi, simply sites this text as the Classics(jing in Chinese means classic or canon) in many of his works concerning tai chi. In turn, many other tai chi teachers reference Dr. Yang's books and site 'the Classics ' in their works on tai chi. To beginners familiarizing themselves with the art through these books, 'the Classics', by implication of the books' titles, allude that the works of 'the Classics' are based on tai chi; which they are not. Furthermore, TCM doctors use tai chi as an exercise to help treat patients of varying ailments; ailments that take root in the deficiency of qi, and the imbalances of spirituality, astrology, and phenology. Dr. Yang and TCM doctors have found the common link between TCM and tai chi. Daoism!

Tai chi teachers sifting through the works of today's tai chi 'authorities' and the vague works left behind by yesterday's gurus will find that daoism is a constant between both generations. Whether accepting that tai chi was invented by a monk on the daoist mountain of Wudang or by the villagers in a certain Henan city; one thing is certain; daoism was a fundamental factor in developing tai chi. Not so much can be said today, but that is beside the point. Daoist sages taught the meaning of change; for a lack of a better explanation. Sages Laozi, Liezi, Zhuangzi, and Guanzi, to name a few, all teach the interrelationship between objects; the importance of knowing this interrelationship; and how to abide by the principles therein. This mode of teaching was applied to tai chi as well as TCM, or anything daoist for that matter. Another way to look at this is to consider Daoism as the art of language, and TCM and tai chi as a particular language. English and Chinese will share the same rules of having grammar, idioms, slang, etc; however the English language is not the Chinese language; and is therefore different in its use. Furthermore, as the basic purpose of language is communication, communication itself is used for varying purposes. A teacher researching tai chi will find that TCM and tai chi are the same thing; however, if probed further they will find that its use is entirely different. They will also find that though the basic purpose is the same; they both vary in how each can be used. This, and this alone will allow the teacher to distinguish TCM cannot be used as a way to discern, teach, promote, or advance tai chi. Would someone wanting to learn English study Chinese vocabulary?

Tai chi is the bodily expression of daoism through the medium of martial stratagem. The basic purpose of tai chi is to protect the body; whether it be from an external or internal invasion: the attack of a [meta]physical assailant or the attack of a pathogen. The practice of pure tai chi should be of complete self-defense. Any method that does not enhance the practitioner to defend themselves spiritually, physically, and internally is superfluousness. The aforementioned commonality that exists about tai chi is true, but not to the degree of building health, but, to protect it.

Distinguishing the difference between tai chi cannot be done in describing or seeing its physical characteristics. There are many schools of tai chi, all with the same purpose but with different methods of practice. The characteristics and effects of training methods, however, between all martial arts are the same: physical techniques should be demanding, mental clarity and control is a requirement, and all exercise builds vitality to certain degree. Tai chi differentiates itself by being an internal martial art, which simply means modes of training do not require external methods or demands: the art is the dumbbell, stretching mat, and jogging machine. And in all cases, if tai chi has not made one physically, spiritually, and internally stronger- gauged by strength, flexibility, stamina, improved immune system and mental will, and an unyielding spirit- then one has not begun to practice pure tai chi.