What is Tai Chi? Taoist Master Explains History, Philosophy and Benefits of Taiji Quan

What is Tai Chi? Master Gu explains the philosophy behind Tai Chi (taiji) Chuan, the origin of the art form and the benefits of the Yin-Yang balance.
☯ Join Master Gu’s FREE 4-week Taoist Wellness Course
Learn Taoist Meditation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi
⏩⏩ www.taoistwellness.online/fre...
☯ JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
Get weekly ideas for balanced living
⏩⏩ www.wayfinder.academy/newsletter
------
Embark on an inspiring journey of transformation and self-discovery through the art of Tai Chi in the Wudang Mountains. This video shares a personal tale of overcoming anxiety, challenging inner negativity, and embracing Daoist philosophy. Witness the power of martial arts in achieving mental clarity and physical wellness. Join the adventure to explore how ancient wisdom can provide practical solutions for modern challenges, inviting viewers to consider Tai Chi as a tool for personal growth and peace.
------
☯ LEARN IN COMMUNITY: wayfinders.global/
☯ PODCAST: anchor.fm/wayofnature
☯ MY RECOMMENDED READING LIST: www.georgethompson.space/read...
------
SUPPORT ME AND THE TEAM
🫶 Patreon:
/ georgethompson
🫶 KZbin Membership:
/ @george-thompson
🫶 Paypal: paypal.me/georgethuk
Thank you to every Patreon, we are on a mission to help people and planet live in balance 🌍
------
LEARN MORE WITH ME:
🫁 Breathwork course
Tap into the power of your breath
⏩⏩ www.wayfinder.academy/breathe...
🏔 Daoism course
Ancient wisdom for harmonious living
⏩⏩ www.wayfinder.academy/daoism-...
🥋 Joyful Tai Chi course
Move with freedom
⏩⏩ www.wayfinder.academy/tai-chi...
---------
FOLLOW ON SOCIALS FOR MORE OF THE ACTION
☯ Instagram: / george.thompson._
☯ Facebook: / georgethompson.uk
☯ Twitter: / georgethuk
☯ Tiktok: / george.thompson_

[@alirose1274]

The rake guy is my new icon

[@jpnnstrps]

how fucking brilliant is he ay

[@TheOtakuPrince]

Trump must have been inspired by the rake guy.

[@ograzebrook]

Noop noop

[@shiyigu844]

I feel also proud of my Dad, who accidentally" intruded" into our formal video making scene. He is always a hard working man! He never knows he also becomes world famous!

[@mael-strom9707]

A rake guy is a person who upon entering the garden brings in the Tao.

[@easttxskimo]

The interruption makes the lesson all the better...a reflection of life. Thank you.

[@timothysagun1821]

It is all balance then the one behind cam interrupts it

[@robbiereilly]

Indeed.

[@empathwellnessfitnessrita5751]

It means to keep going no matter what

[@giovanniryder4057]

i know im asking randomly but does any of you know a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot my password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me!

[@hamzazavier5645]

@Giovanni Ryder instablaster ;)

[@unahuli1706]

My fave part of the video starts at 1:55 "The Great Entrance of Rake Master "

[@mastergutaichi]

Im happy my father becomes Rake Master and a rare Master!

[@nijelose]

this Is advantage Level...

[@bonniegrandstaff398]

Yes indeed love it

[@markcaserta1367]

For someone not an active participant in Tai Chi, thank you for an introduction. Most people do not realize how out of harmony their body is. I once met a Tai Chi master and I asked him what is the everyday application for this besides medication and body movement. He told me to grab him like in a fight. Needless to say, he manipulated my body like it was a ragdoll. I then realized how out of focus I was in my movements as well as in my mind. It was a real awakening for me.

[@mastergutaichi]

First of all my gratitude to great and lovely George, Xiaoyaozi as I call him. On his departure, he presents us such a video. With all the videos he has made, I feel him always beside me! An amazing combination of two persons from the east and west tip of Eurasia spreading positive content for the mankind!

[@livingsouljourney312]

Wudang Taoist Wellness Academy very beautiful words

[@George-Thompson]

thank you shifu!

[@jessiehorne]

Beautiful words Master Gu as always 😌☯️

[@disneytails]

What happened to George? Did he pass away?

[@Per4uXYv35]

@@disneytails nope, if you look at his channel, he uploaded like 2 months ago tops. Perhaps you mistook the context of Master Gu's comment, it is rather because George is no longer in China.

[@Athrunwong]

Thanks Master Gu. I love Master’s Gu dad walk into the scene. Healthy as a buck for an old man.

[@George-Thompson]

haha yes he's in good shape!

[@mael-strom9707]

Probably practices Qi Gong. ...haha!

[@_Wai_Wai_]

I think a lot of human illnesses has to do with lifestyle, diet and environment. Not just genetics. I had a grandmother who lived in a Chinese village her whole life, without indoor plumbing, with barely enough electricity to power a few light bulbs. She lived into her 90's, and Grandfather passed a few years before her. My dad who lived half his life in the USA, recently passed away at age 85. Living simply, eating simply, getting enough sleep, all very important.

[@lucianoinso]

@@_Wai_Wai_ In "The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine" an ancient chinesse book that has a lot of taoist influence belief to be written between 470bc and 220ce, there is a conversation between the so called yellow emperor and one of his court physicians, in one part he talks about the man and woman that lived in connection with "the earth and the sky", and those man could live their "full time" in life which he told was about 100 years, while the man that wasn't connected with that developed sickness and couldn't live all the life time they were given. He was talking about the connection with the transcendent (the sky realm), which therapeutic, spiritual and inner energy practices connects us with, and modern life kinda disconnect us from if we get lost on the turmoil of it, so yeah, your pretty much on spot, modern medicine doesn't understand that (yet) so it's not common knowledge.

[@amandaandrew6169]

Luciano Rodriguez very interesting.

[@tyronrossouw930]

2:00 The Dao of gardening

[@adammeadows2005]

This is great George! I'm glad you left his dad in there. "A good balance of something formal and informal". It's refreshing to see something "real" on social media when so much content is overly-edited and strives for perfection.

[@geoffnoyes520]

I love the guy with the rake, told to go away by 'the master' but getting on with real life, getting plenty of exercise, keeping fit as God intended, doing something useful and productive, not worried about the internet, l follow the wisdom of the rake man! :-).

[@redwingsfan3621]

2:13. Gardener disappears into Chinese abyss.

[@wendel3278]

He got teleportation talisman

[@webbyjoey]

the power of his rake.

[@kingiburu2778]

I love when he said we overcome hardness with softness. This will be my new discipline.❤

[@E8Gurrl]

Thank you for this and for all the effort and time put in to enlighten the world that bit more 🙏🏾

[@Delaney_don1]

I'm a kickboxing guy n I think the philosophy of this and other martial arts are the basis for a strong connection between mind and body, a strong moral compass and much more. Balance is essential

[@cman7113]

They learned this by observing the water benders of the northern water tribe

[@badbitch5752]

lmaoo

[@KaptainKKD]

HAHHAHAHAHA my dad practices Tai Chi and I showed him water bending clips. He loves it hahahaha.

[@tygon13]

Water bending is actually based upon T'ai chi ch'üan, so... 🤷🏽‍♂️ And Air bending is based upon Ba Gua Zhang (eight trigram palm) of the Wudang Earth bending is based upon Hung Ga of the southern Shaolin and finally, Fire bending is based upon the Northern Shaolin Boxing School. 😉

[@cman7113]

@@tygon13 it’s just a joke. Relax.

[@tygon13]

@@cman7113 🤔 What part of my response suggests that I'm tense? I realize that it's a joke, but I thought that I would add to your comment and suggest either, that they actually could have (in order to continue your joke) or that there are similarities due to them being, generally speaking, the same thing. So... please chill on your unwarranted advice on calming my flow, when I'm flowing so well that you're confusing my waves crashing upon you, as being in a steaming state of high pressure. 😎

[@TheMagicCrafter]

Very informative! Thank you for creating this video! Loved the bit of humor with the background guy too 😁🖤

[@jessiehorne]

New upload ☺️ As I have gotten to know from the two of you fine gentlemen quite the informative and powerful video ☺️

[@tonydinh9044]

Balance of something informal and formal. Love this dude

[@itinerantpoet1341]

Thank you for this introductory lecture. It's been such a blessing to the art that these Taoist masters have emerged in recent decades to teach the public! 🙏

[@nicolepacker8206]

This was my first video I've ever watched on Tai Chi. I'm really interested in learning more and applying it to my life. Thanks for sharing!

[@nemos422s]

I don’t know what possessed me to look into this I remembered hearing about it only once yet suddenly the other day I was so overwhelmed and agitated then this popped into my mind and I looked up a quick 5 min routine. Wow I’ve never fet more at ease. I feel so happy and so relaxed and grateful while practicing. These body movements quiet my anxiety so much I’ve never felt such peace 😭😭

[@_VISION.]

Literally finished my first routine tonight and wow I am so amazed at what it has done for me. I am truly thankful and never thought it would put a halt to my anxiety. I'm doing this shit for life idc

[@andyriley1282]

Can't wait to start! I very much enjoyed the last course, thank you!

[@George-Thompson]

glad to hear andy!!

[@babblingidiot7903]

2:05 guy comes out to demonstrate tai chi with a rake. Lol. Epic. Love it

[@EvaEvaEvaEva2023]

Always need a little Master Gu to start the day right! Thank you, George, for sharing his beautiful light with your viewers.

[@George-Thompson]

my pleasure Eva!

[@gensherman2984]

Wish I could speak Chinese as well as you speak English. Very informative. Thank you.

[@dylanschneider7958]

Great Video George. I love hearing Master Gu' s wisdom.

[@George-Thompson]

we all do :')

[@MattBrooks-Green]

Thanks so much for sharing. I've just started tai chi videos and find this inspiring. Thank you.

[@stanleymedel3939]

Love the sincerity of interrupt by rake man , the best!!!

[@gabryg1849]

Grazie Master Gu, and you George for sharing this.. 🙏

[@accordsamurai]

Thank you so much for sharing your teacher and the principals and concepts. Ming... Keep practicing brother

[@George-Thompson]

thank you brother!

[@kforest2745]

Love his presentation thank you for sharing

[@a.isabelquintana5163]

Getting into Tai Chi and just starting. Thanks a lot for this !

[@SteveMe21685]

Love the video. Taiji is the vectoring universal force that originates from stillness and creates polarity. A martial art was designed to mimic this force. It’s like jumping down a rabbit hole with this concept, you’ll start seeing it EVERYWHERE.

[@ghostbeetle2950]

Thank you, Master Gu! And thank you, George! Very awesome!

[@George-Thompson]

glad you enjoyed!

[@rabc2988]

Excellent investigation about what Tai Chi means!!! Congratulations for your effort!!!

[@marccont01]

Thank you very much for the explanation.

[@prbr7095]

Loved your dad with the take! Of course, you too!

[@StrideInLife]

Thank you for sharing this content

[@laomalaoma8235]

The episode tell you immediately one of the firm first rules of journey in China:- you are never alone, always some one is nearby you to see what you are doing. Master Gu was very polite. And thanks for this wonderful lesson

[@lenorajohnson7496]

Thank you for explaining Tai Chi's new way of thinking.

[@bscottc1]

Really nicely done Master Gu and George. The guy with the rake was great for some comic relief. I'm sharing this to my local Tai Chi group. Thanks!

[@George-Thompson]

haha yea it was a great moment. Awesome, thanks Scott!

[@kaitlinsmith1984]

I love how this looks like it can help me channel my angry energy into something good that can help me lose weight and be more mindful, I found some beginner stuff and hope to make this a habit

[@_VISION.]

Hope you've been consistent. If not, here's a reminder that you've been missing something

[@audiblewilcox9085]

Seriously.. you should.

[@davidrobbins6906]

Thank you for doing this.

[@hikingharryTIROL]

Another great video George, thank you for sharing! Good to hear about the 'Tai Chi' without the emphasizing on the 'Quan'.

[@George-Thompson]

indeed!

[@skiboy1046]

Thank you Master Gu!

[@misfithomemaker3683]

Thank you, I used this in homescool today then we did/followed some Tai chi on DVD.

[@jr_sancheziii3716]

🙏🏽 Thank you for this vital info. 🙏🏽✌🏾

[@kozmicre982]

Dude with the rake seemed fully enlightened in his work and the master teaching Tai Chi principles to help others did not mind the interruption, patience is a virtue after all.

[@Carolinaking22]

I am blessed by receiving your message in understanding. Thank you for that. I have been in a spirtual battle with addiction for quite a few years now and learning to overcome this by taking charge of the mind through the art of meditation i have much more to learn to overcome the external traps that enslave me but i become closer to nirvana with each lesson i receive in understanding. I want to travel to China or Japan to enrich my inner world by learning to live woo way from a master that lived it and is willing to help me along my spirtual journey that is life. Idk how to go about seeking a master willing to help me. I have seen your videos and believe you would fit the bill perfectly if you are willing. Thanks and God bless.

[@joefaridahnur7586]

Very well explained, thx u for sharing💗 🕊🐉💗

[@vietbreeder8341]

master Gu is the first Chinese master of sacred martial art i have know who interpreted chinese knowledge in english in science way, along with Mantak Chia. thank you!

[@livingsouljourney312]

Thank you for sharing this

[@George-Thompson]

my pleasure!

[@ginettemelody1035]

Thank you. Blessings

[@shellzboss755]

Much appreciated

[@angelap6988]

Rake man troll level: GOD

[@8TacoMagic]

Thanks Master Gu!

[@SAMSARA0819]

I am so happy to find Master GU's classes. He is amazing! love this. Blessings to everyone!

[@WhiteChocolate444]

How long have you been practicing master GU's classes/practicing tai chi? And what has it done for you? *this is the first video I have ever watched on tai chi, and I'm really interested in learning what it has done for you!

[@SAMSARA0819]

@@WhiteChocolate444 Hi!!!!!!! This is the first video I found on Master Gu teaching Tai Chi. I discovered Master Gu thru George Thompson. Find his videos they are so amazing on an incredible Tai Chi Journey.. There you will learn of Master Gu and his wisdom and teachings. I find him very smart, sweet and genuine. He is very relatable and has a beautiful free strong spirit, I love to see him and George do Tai Chi together and I am saving all the videos I find to put them in an order for me to follow. I did discover TAIFLOW she is in a Leah Cohen and she has a video for beginners which has 4 modules to follow. I been doing that for 2 weeks. Not every day as I wish I could. But once I mastered that I will beginning to see which video I can keep up with Master Gu. Let me know what works for you as well. I started this because I will be 54 and I need to find balance and peace and relax and I think this is something I can master and truly enjoy, Let me know how it goes for you and how you find George to be. I think you will really like Master Gu and George. Good Luck, lots of blessings and be safe!

[@mastergutaichi]

@@SAMSARA0819 Thank you so much for you liking. Good wish from Master Gu from Wudang, China!

[@SAMSARA0819]

@@mastergutaichi Thank you so much for your note! I truly appreciate it. I have really enjoyed watching George, Master Gu and everyone in the Tai Chi Family! I send you all love and well wishes and keep doing what you do.

[@SAMSARA0819]

Thank you so much for your note! I truly appreciate it. I have really enjoyed watching George, Master Gu and everyone in the Tai Chi Family! I send you all love and well wishes and keep doing what you do. I made sure to keep the notification bell for more videos. Believe it or not these videos have brought me so much joy, questions answered and just a nice break in the day to seek some wisdom and tai chi! Giant blessings to you and everyone who visits this page. Lots of Love from Miami, Florida USA.

[@caminodelcorazon]

I love T'ai Chi and Master Gu💓🌸

[@George-Thompson]

tai chi family 👊

[@mastergutaichi]

I love Tai Chi and Master Gu -- hahaha sounds like a penetrating slogan!

[@MAl-xz7lc]

FOR A BALANCED mind.. ITS A NICE PLACE TO BE.. IT REALLY is🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@whaletom]

Now i finally understand “raking the benefits” 😂 Thank you for the insight, and am really tempted to start this course😊

[@CrystallineWisdom]

This guy is amazing 😌

[@hailemariammengesha3139]

thank you man!

[@user-jv5vo3pz8k]

Master gu speaks very good English and he understand taiji very well. I may visit him one day.

[@shiyigu844]

You are always welcome to Wudang Shan!

[@jessiehorne]

Proud to say Master Gu has his first student on his Udemy Wudang Tai Chi course 😌☯️

[@George-Thompson]

you rock jessie 👊

[@jessiehorne]

George Thompson You to as well I say this because without you George... Master Gu’s words,energy,presence would still be hidden from us as it was from you at one time. 😌☯️

[@chilegeorgev.2674]

I love the guy with the rake, so wholesome

[@ehhm.s]

I love This 😍

[@the_dancerjen1773]

I could listen to Master Gu all day. Thank you for this great video. ☯️✨🫶🏼

[@thepochade5992]

I just bought the meditation course yesterday ❤ and was looking online for a Tai Chi instructor ... so this is wonderful 😊 Thank you for sharing Master Gu 🙏 and for all of your hard work George 👍

[@George-Thompson]

glad to hear April! it's our pleasure!

[@ddmound]

its not authentic, and you are going to get no where with it even if you practiced it for 1000 years. The only two true forms is kings and Jung. if it is not of southern china, then it is fake!

[@365optimalhealthandfitness7]

whats that mean...explain, please. thanks.

[@pby1000]

meechie B Where does south China end and north China begin?

[@indianstig2324]

Wish I could meet Master Gu for once. It's hard to not appreciate Taoist Wisdom and Masters :) Great video George! Love from india!

[@itinerantpoet1341]

If you can't get to China, there's a place in the mountains of New Hampshire where you can go to train full time in the summer with a true taoist wudang master.

[@davidmendez9253]

That was great. Thanks!

[@adamdickson1404]

Great video - thanks!

[@nitefox4411]

So glad they left rake guy in. Awesome. Thanks

[@oracleowen]

2:12 excellent wisdom.about life

[@pietrolago]

Great video! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@Yusuf-kf2vw]

Very nice video my friend !

[@bohobabie5987]

We love you. Thank you for this body of work. I’ve only just discovered Tai Chi...and I feel that this is my next step.

[@shiyigu844]

Boho Babie, welcome to brilliant world of Tai chi !

[@deveshagra27]

I love tai chi and yoga ❤️

[@MrJao08]

I really like Tai Chi Martial Arts, I have many videos watching at KZbin, but I really catch the flow of water.

[@abar7178]

it is amazingly beautiful.

[@mafejayme350]

Spontaneously natural way to learn about tai chi

[@empathwellnessfitnessrita5751]

His movement is very flawless , you can see it's his soul purpose

[@gyurto]

I want a master like him! His more than just a teacher.

[@shiyigu844]

Im more than just a teacher: because im also a student in the journey of Taoist cultivation!

[@aprilcherpaw4229]

Hello - I am also a persistent / assiduous practitioner of Taijiquan for about 17yrs...I too have found unusual benefits -- Healing from a broken back in 2005 (taking a year and a half to walk again) - no doctors...I am now instructing and pass it on as best as I can.

[@itinerantpoet1341]

Bravo on the recognition that 17 years is just a start. It took me more than 20 before I really started to get it, and 30 before I could "keep the feeling" day to day. Now, in my 50's, I'm stronger and healthier than ever. My push hands has finally started to get good as well!

[@aprilcherpaw4229]

​@@itinerantpoet1341 That is wonderful...After ill health and regaining wholeness and energy integrity- it seems to me It appears I am healthier than most I have met - I am 59 and will move to the mountains at the earliest opportunity - Thank you for your reply ... In Living Kindness ~ april

[@WC1Master]

😂😂Love this video 10x more. The rake guy is my spirit animal.

[@touxiong519]

Interesting and informative

[@alikuliyev5849]

Hey man, could you rearrange videos on the playlist according to the chronological order. For example 4 Month China Kung Fu Adventure. It was kind of confusing before I paid attention to the dates you published btw, Great videos :)

[@Way827]

See my picture right, this is the hill near my home in Yorkshire, England. I do Qi Gong here, near these lovely cows!!! I like also watching your show and thank you George and also Shifu Gu!!! Thank You!!!

[@George-Thompson]

nice! I was born in harrogate :) thank you for watching!

[@Way827]

Amazing, small world!!!

[@timothycliffe3061]

@@Way827 Born in Huddersfield, but lived in Texas for the last 40 years, and now planning to return, next Summer, to live in Yorkshire again! Am a yoga instructor now delving onto learning to teach tai chi. ;)

[@Way827]

@@timothycliffe3061 Amazing. Texas hay and then back to Yorkshire.I lived in China and the Far East for about 12 years. Now I'm in Poland. I like women from Yorkshire as they like their UDDERS FEELED. Rump tish!!!! Remember Rita, Sue and Bob Too?

[@bradsmith4875]

I'm going to take a look at the course. The closest place to take Tai Chi in person is over an hour drive from me. Thank you for putting that together.

[@sherylcrowe3255]

Did he really say "Dad"? Priceless!! Excellent video- very enjoyable and informative. Thank you very much for posting! 💚

[@renatolangfeldt]

Its just a chinese way to refer to an older more experienced person

[@anatejeda2649]

Very interesting, thanks

[@namelessnick9791]

what a beautiful place to live :)

[@malehlohonolomokwena7653]

Thank you for the valuable introduction. I am on a new journey re-discovering myself as I hated my body for being called fat while I was a sexual symbol for many kidnappers and rapists and I struggle with anxiety. I am currently learning about different martial arts and tai chi chuan has taken the cup for me because it will help me in many more ways than I can count. I need a relaxed mind, I need a body that will be in harmony with my mind before I can learn to defend myself. If there are any books you can recommend, I would love to educate myself. Tai chi is a necessary life skill and that is what I will value it as. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@tahirriaz74]

thxs for a great video

[@joanehutchington5547]

Great video! 👌

[@George-Thompson]

thank you!

[@simonw2750]

Great video, and a very good recovery dealing with the rake guy. I prefer Beijing 24 but this 8 is good for beginners.

[@pby1000]

We are filming here! Hello!

[@CosmicDuskWolf]

I wanna go to the Wudang mountains and learn tai chi there.

[@MegaLumPii]

Me too brother!

[@simonbarna9784]

Me three

[@humanstupid9842]

Me four

[@style_tex]

Me five

[@xyvbzz1856]

Me six

[@hugothales4902]

Well explained

[@BrandonL5]

amazing video!

[@George-Thompson]

thank you!

[@stevefoley9448]

Thank you.

[@devboi2873]

informative video!