The age of the internet brings the possibility of comparative study never before possible, and the aim of this website is to bring together a unique combination of examples of superior skill and insight, classical principles handed down through generations and new discoveries arising from the combination of Eastern wisdom with Western scientific research.

In the coming weeks and months at Compare Tai Chi you will find a growing selection of resources including articles, video clips, audio files, reviews of books and DVDs, interviews with teachers, practitioners and experts in tai chi and related fields.

Chen style, Wu style, Yang style, Hao style or Sun style tai chi - how do they differ?

How similar is tai chi to other internal martial arts?

How does the kinesthetic approach differ from other ways of learning tai chi and qigong?

How does tai chi compare with qigong, yoga, pilates, Alexander Technique or Feldenkrais Method?

Can these practices help each other or do they clash?

What about fitness training? Is it compatible?

How does tai chi breathing compare to other systems?

How does tai chi compare to other forms of exercise or alternative medicine in the treatment of diabetes, asthma, arthritis, fybromyalgia, back pain and stress-related conditions?

These and many other questions will be answered here at Compare Tai Chi. Watch this space ...

WARNING - Compare Tai Chi is not for everyone. If you belong to a tai chi school that forbids exposure to other schools or styles (I've encountered two such schools!); if you think there is nothing to gain from non-tai chi sources such as the exhaustive research into human movement and anatomy of pioneers like Moshe Feldenkrais or David Gorman; if you don't believe that learning about other internal arts such as bagua, xingyi or yiquan can provide fresh insights into tai chi - you had better leave this site now.

For those who come with an open and enquiring mind, welcome! This site is created in honor of the adventurous, pioneering spirit. After all, without acts of comparison and intelligent combination, there would be no tai chi.

The significant events in the history of tai chi were generated by individuals who combined existing skills with new insights - by teaching them advanced Taoist principles, Wang Tsung-yueh transformed the boxing style of the Chen clan and Chen-style tai chi was born; Yang Luchan, the founder of the Yang family style learned Chen style tai chi by spying through a hole in the wall - unlikely unless he was building on martial skills already in his possession; Wu Yu-hsiang combined the tai chi he learned from Yang Lu chan with the style of Chen Ching ping to form a new style, known today as Hao style tai chi; Sun Lu tang combined his hsing-i and bagua skills with the tai chi he learned from Hao Weijen to create Sun style tai chi.

It is my sincere hope that Compare Tai Chi will inspire you to new accomplishments, better health and well-being and the creation of new knowledge.