The Art of Balance: Exploring Analogies in Taiji Forms and Tensegrity Structures

摘要

This essay explores the analogies between Tensegrity and Taiji (which is the common abbreviated English name for T’ai Chi Chuan). Tensegrity is a structural principle that employs tension and compress ion to create a self-supporting structure, and this investigation focuses on how character istics of Tensegrity, such as discontinuous force distribution, or the maintenance of self equilibrium, relate to the movements and philosophy of Taiji. Drawing on selected core Taiji principles, this study examines the properties and behavior of self-constructed Tensegrity models and their relevance for Taiji practice. The analysis also aims to provide some insights into the parallels between tensegrity structures, natural systems, and human biomechanics, through emphasizing the role of soft, non-linear systems.