Tai Chi Chuan, Taichichuan, Taijiquan or Tai
Chi is known for the claims of health and longevity benefits. T'ai Chi
Ch'uan is also known as a "soft style" martial art and is best known
as the slow motion routines groups of people practice every morning in
hundreds of parks across China and, increasingly other parts of the world.
In T'ai Chi classes one is taught awareness of one's own balance and what
affects it, awareness of the same in of others, and appreciation of the
practical value in one's ability to moderate extremes of behavior and
attitude at both mental and physical levels
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese movement therapy
and is all about harnessing the natural energy both within us and from
outside. It relies on the belief that the smooth flow of Chi or life
energy, through the body's meridians, is vital for good health and that
illness occurs when there is an imbalance or sluggish flow in certain
areas due to anxiety, tension and fatigue. Tai Chi is similar to yoga with
its focus on breathing and its slow. meditative movements that concentrate
our minds and encourage us to listen to that which we can never really
hear our inner self.
Tai Chi has its own system of graceful arm
movements that symbolize the deliberate process of harnessing the earth's
energy and drawing it into our bodies. These movements, combined with
strong leg postures, are learnt as a sequence practiced time and again,
although the sequence varies according to proficiency levels. Expert will
practice the long version combining up to more than 100 movements in a 30
minutes session.
The
classes always begin with a period of meditative stillness, and then the
pupils step forward on the right foot - an energy step with fire being
visualized shooting from palms of the hands. The energy is pulled
back into the body and the weight transferred to the left foot, everyone
now visualizing water cascading over them. With the body turning left, the
palms are rotated and curved back to the right. The body continues to turn
to the right with both feet firmly fixed to the floor, then the left foot
is brought round, returning the body to the centre.
Tai Chi is a processed of self discovery and
contemplative states of being. Tai Chi also help you to get acquainted
with your own sense of personal growth, the creative process of just being
you. The benefits of Tai Chi are immense and include improved
co-ordination, circulation, posture, balance and well-being. Because Tai
Chi is practiced slowly and with a relaxed focus the nervous system
becomes calmer and so do you. This meditative effect gives you a clearer
perspective mentally and in today's fast and hectic world this can only be
a huge resource. In fact the stress relieving attributes are one of the
main reasons why people start Tai Chi as it gives them a calm mind and
real sense of physical emotional and spiritual health.
Part of the physiological aspect of Tai Chi
includes the effect it has on our brain, our lymphatic system and our
joints. Recent neurological research has found that tai chi practice
encourages the brain to perform more effectively. All in all Tai Chi
offers us a unique way to combat stress and learn new and valuable skills.
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