In 1940, Chen Pan-Ling was commissioned to develop a national standard style of TaiChi Chuan. Mr. Chen, educated as a Civil Engineer, was also skilled in the traditional Chinese martial arts. Mr. Chen drew upon several systems of TaiChi, Hsing-Yi, and PaKua to create "Integrated TaiChi Chuan". Evidence of his engineering training is clearly seen in the result.
Broadly speaking, the three systems are mutually supportive. Hsing-yi concentrates on the principle of firmness and linear motion. PaKua develops the application of yielding and spiraling: teaching "stability in motion". TaiChi explores the range of interaction between these two extremes: emphasizing balance, relaxation and attention. The synthesis draws on the results of 5000 years of Chinese techniques for staying open and balanced in the midst of cultural, social and political change.
The Human brain and body arguably constitute the most complex system known to man. TaiChi teaches that the best way of learning how to skillfully deal with external change is by using our own bodies as laboratories.