Taoist martial arts, particularly Wudang martial arts, have developed their unique theoretical systems, techniques and styles based on ancient martial arts defensive theories, integrated with concepts from the "Book of Changes" (I Ching) like "keeping to softness and femininity" and "controlling movement with stillness", and fused with the essence of Taoist internal alchemy practices. Every movement reflects Taoist philosophical essence, including "stillness in motion", and "integration of hardness and softness".
Historical records and archaeological evidence also show that Chinese martial arts have a profound relationship with Taoism. Take for instance, the sports and self-defense activities in the Yin and Zhou dynasties, swordplay in the Qin and Han dynasties, performance sword dances in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and Xingyi Quan during the Tang Dynasty, all of which reflect Taoist philosophies to some extent.
Taoist martial arts advocate achieving the highest realm of integrating everything into Tao. They promote the philosophy of life to "preserve natural laws and eliminate human desires", praise the cosmology with "the law of Tao follows nature" as its core, and actively pursue the path of harmony.