WHAT IS TAIFUSHIN

大 風 心

TAIFUSHIN
The source of the name 

Introduction

Taifushin was created by Founder Eyal Ophir in 1997 to develop a martial art that forges abilities and needs as one while embracing the endless possibilities in the art of movement and combat — into a high-level, deep, and wide martial art, a way of living, and a world peace philosophy.

After training in many different martial arts and achieving black belts in 8 styles and 26 dan grades in Japanese styles, representing the famous Shaolin Temple in China, serving as an IDF Krav Maga instructor in the Israeli Army, and specializing in hand-to-hand and weapons combat — both modern and traditional — being the All-Israel MMA National Champion and a Guinness Book Record Holder, Master Eyal Ophir couldn’t find a style that had it all.

Each style focuses on specific aspects of fighting. While all martial arts have value, many traditional nor modern systems limit practitioners to a certain range of movements, techniques, rules, and regulations that were limiting his full potential to be expressed, displayed, and used in competition fighting. Master Eyal was searching to find a way that would allow and fit his style of fighting freedom, philosophy, and unlimited borders in fighting and life. Therefore, he founded The Taifushin Way as an endless path of options and possibilities in martial arts, health, and free thinking.

The wind is endless — coming and going, appearing and disappearing with no trace, unpredictable, with no shape nor form. The wind cannot be caught nor held; it can be strong and calm — all the characteristics it consists of.
TAIFUSHIN – The Great Wind Spirit is an art that Founder Eyal Ophir based his style of fighting and way of life upon — that of the free wind.

Even wide and deep systems of fighting like Ninjutsu and Shaolin Kung Fu, which teach a wide range of subjects and skills covering most aspects of combat, are not always able to answer well to all situations. Many styles of fighting are often shaped by the region and period in which they evolved — their country, topography, and the style of fighting that was customary and popular at that time.

As the world is in constant change and fighting needs evolve, Eyal envisioned a martial art without boundaries or rigid rules — where any technique effective in real combat could be learned. He sought a system that combines everything he had learned — and more — without limitations, allowing practitioners to adapt to any situation.

Why Taifushin Was Created

Many martial arts are effective only against opponents trained in the same style. For example, Judo emphasizes grappling, throws, locks, and chokes while prohibiting strikes. In contrast, Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Capoeira, and many Kung Fu styles focus on striking and do not train grappling extensively.

While each style excels in its context, when confronted with a different fighting method, its techniques may be less effective. In street fights, MMA, or modern battlefields where weapons may be involved, this gap becomes critical.

Israeli Krav Maga addresses life-threatening combat scenarios, integrating techniques for soldiers facing armed opponents or multiple attackers — but it lacks the traditional arts and sophisticated movements of fighting. Therefore, each style focuses on a different way, tactic, and method of practice.

It’s important to emphasize that all martial arts are good, no matter their origin or approach. However, they are not necessarily suited for every desired practitioner, as every person has their own taste and mind.

Taifushin was created to use all those endless techniques and methods of practice and to bring its practitioners to a high level of skill, high speed, and a simple yet sophisticated system that uses the body’s natural movement to respond effectively to a wide variety of situations — combining internal energy, fluid movement, and practical combat strategies.

Founder Eyal Ophir developed a unique movement system that channels Qi/Ki energy like the flow of wind, integrating all abilities without restriction. The system preserves the deep principles of effective combat while allowing each practitioner to cultivate a personal style.

Unlike performance-focused arts such as Wushu, Iaido, or Aikido, which may emphasize form or aesthetics over practicality, Taifushin is designed for real-life confrontations, self-defense, personal development, health, and spiritual growth.

Principles and Philosophy

Taifushin is simultaneously simple and sophisticated. Practitioners learn to harness internal energy to control movement, maximize power, and achieve high levels of tactics and fighting strategies — balance, speed, coordination, precision, strength, explosiveness, flexibility, agility, stability, and fitness.

The system teaches effective defense and attack methods unique to Taifushin, reflecting the spirit and movement of the wind. Every technique is evaluated by its efficiency and practicality in real combat situations, rather than by tradition or rigid rules.

Meaning of the Name

Japanese: Tai-Fu-Shin
Chinese: Da Feng Xin

Tai (大): Big, Great, Powerful
Fu (風): Wind, Breath of Nature
Shin (心): Heart, Spirit, Soul

The name Taifushin embodies the philosophy of combining vast knowledge, personal expression, and the natural flow of energy. It represents the balance between discipline, effectiveness, and freedom within martial practice.

The Logo
The Taifushin logo symbolizes humanity, life, and the infinite movement of the universe. The inner circle represents the spiritual self, the essence of being. The circle itself represents the body that houses the spirit, while the outer circle represents the world around us.

In universal terms, the inner circle symbolizes Earth — land, sea, and sky — and the outer circle symbolizes the infinite cosmos. The primary color of the logo is red, representing life. However, the logo may appear in other colors to reflect the stages of training, levels of mastery, and perseverance in Taifushin practice.

The Bow (Respect Gesture)
In Taifushin, the bow is performed in a circle, symbolizing equality among practitioners. Joined hands represent unity, harmony, and the endless flow of energy. The space between the hands represents the world we hold in our care, emphasizing responsibility for our actions and the life we create. While the teacher acts as a guide, all practitioners are considered equal as human beings.

Conclusion
Taifushin is a martial art without boundaries, combining the effectiveness of many fighting traditions while fostering internal energy, personal expression, and spiritual growth. It teaches the principles of real combat, flowing movement, and the discipline necessary to develop the body, mind, and spirit. By integrating modern and ancient martial arts knowledge, Taifushin allows each practitioner to cultivate their own unique style while mastering techniques for self-defense, health, and personal development.

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Taifushin Since 1997 (c)