太極拳：風靡全球的健身養生方式
2020年12月17日，“太極拳”列入聯合國教科文組織人類非物質文化遺産代表作名錄。太極拳歸屬為中國古代武術的一種，形成于17世紀中葉，到今天已經傳承了300多年，它是中華民族辯證理論思維與武術、藝術、中醫等的完美結合。
On December 17, 2020, "Tai Chi Chuan" was listed in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. A key discipline of the ancient Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan originated in the middle of the 17th century and has been handed down for more than 300 years. It is a perfect combination of the Chinese dialectical thinking with martial arts, art and traditional Chinese medicine.
太極是中國古代最具特色和代表性的哲學思想之一，講究陰陽迴圈、天人合一。太極拳也是生發于同樣的思想，要求練拳之人立身中正，動作又松柔圓活。一招一式盡顯剛柔並濟之美，一動一靜盡展中國功夫氣韻。經過多年的發展，太極拳還融入了中國傳統儒家價值觀念，例如尊師重道，不可不敬、不可狂、不可滿等，體現了“和”的理念。
Tai Chi is one of the most characteristic and representative philosophical thoughts in ancient China, which advocates the theory of circulation of Yin and Yang and the unity of heaven and man. Based on this idea, Tai Chi Chuan features an upright and balanced seated posture with supple and smooth movements. While its distinctive movement poses show the beautiful blend of strength and softness, its motions and meditative calm well display the essence of Chinese Kungfu. Traditional Chinese Confucian values, such as respecting teachers and nature, being humble but not being arrogant and complacent, are integrated into Tai Chi Chuan embraces the idea of peace and harmony.
將拳術的形體運動與中醫學相結合，是太極拳的精髓所在。通過動作平衡肌肉和關節，巧妙運用腹部呼吸，保證形體運動不妨礙人體的肺臟呼吸運動，從而達到治病健身的效果。新冠肺炎疫情發生後，太極拳“提高免疫力”“改善氣血和肺功能”的抗疫價值得到凸顯，受到鐘南山、張伯禮院士的充分肯定。
Tai Chi borrows the body movement of boxing and digs into elements of traditional Chinese medicine. By balancing muscles and joints and skillfully using abdominal breathing, body movements do not hinder respiratory movement and boost fitness. After the outbreak of COVID-19, the role of Tai Chi in "improving immunity" and "improving Qi and blood and lung function” gained significance. This was fully affirmed by the two prominent Chinese medical scientists Zhong Nanshan and Zhang Boli.
練太極拳時既能放鬆肢體，又能靜心，長期練習可以幫助擺脫身體亞健康，提高生活品質。太極拳作為傳統的有氧運動，動靜結合，適合不同年齡的人群來習練，同樣受到年輕人的青睞。
Practising Tai Chi can not only relax the body, but also the mind. Long-term practice can help get rid of ailments and improve quality of life. As a traditional aerobic exercise, Tai chi is suitable for people of all ages. Young people are especially drawn to it.
作為中華武術瑰寶，太極拳成為中華民族最具代表性的優秀文化符號之一。2008年北京奧運會，太極拳作為表演項目向世界展示；2012年，在“天宮一號”上，宇航員劉洋打起太極拳；2016年，G20杭州峰會文藝晚會上，白衣翩翩的太極拳舞者在夜幕下涉水而來。
A treasure of Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan has become one of the most iconic cultural symbols of the Chinese nation. In 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Tai Chi was included as a performance item; in 2012, astronaut Liu Yang played Tai Chi on "Tiangong-1"; in 2016, at the evening party of G20 Hangzhou summit, Tai Chi dancers in white came wading through the water at night.
如今，太極拳已傳播到全球150多個國家和地區，習練者有4億多人，成為一項風靡全球的國際化健身形式。越來越多的外國人通過練習太極拳感受中國文化的魅力。太極拳已經成為連接不同種族、不同民族、不同語言、不同國家的文化紐帶。
Today, Tai Chi has spread to more than 150 countries and regions, with more than 400 million practitioners. Drawing more and more people worldwide towards the charm of Chinese culture, Tai Chi has become a cultural link connecting different races, nationalities, languages and countries.
