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Tai chi is sometimes described as "meditation in motion." Originally developed in China as a form of self-defense, this graceful form of exercise has existed for about 2,000 years. It’s becoming increasingly popular around the world, both as a basic exercise program and as a complement to other health care methods. Health benefits include stress reduction, greater balance and increased flexibility – especially for older adults.

If you’re trying to improve your general health, you may find tai chi helpful as part of your program. Tai chi is generally safe for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Studies have shown that for older adults tai chi can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. Because the movements are low impact and put minimal stress on your muscles and joints, tai chi is appealing to many older adults. For these same reasons, if you have a condition such as arthritis or you’re recovering from an injury, you may find it useful.

When learned correctly and practiced regularly, tai chi appears to be a very positive form of exercise. It’s self-paced and noncompetitive. You don’t need a large physical space or special clothing or equipment. You can do tai chi anytime, anyplace. Because tai chi is slow and gentle, it has virtually no negative side effects. It’s possible you could strain yourself or "overdo" things when first learning, but with proper instruction, this shouldn’t pose a barrier to practicing tai chi.

To gain the full benefits of tai chi and reduce the small risk of injury, learn the correct way to do the postures and movements. Strict attention to your body position and breathing are critical, so it’s best to study directly under a teacher rather than with a book or videotape. As you attend a series of classes, the instructor can give you personal guidance and correct any errors in your approach before they become habit. As you practice, you learn how to do tai chi without straining your muscles and joints.

Once you’re comfortable with the tai chi basics, you can do it by yourself. You may find it helpful to practice tai chi in the same place and at the same time every day. You’ll likely experience some health benefits right away, but they probably won’t be dramatic. Be patient. Health benefits accumulate over time.



By: sunshine03

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Executive and Management Magazines

Tai Chi is an exercise that benefits people for all ages, especially the seniors, who enjoy the soft, flowing movements.

Their movements were slow, graceful, continuous and rounded and beautifully demonstrated the basic principles of China’s most famous martial art.

Tai Chi Chuan first showed its unique advantages over other Chinese martial arts in the 1953 National Sports Mass Meeting. It has no specific requirements for space and apparatus. It can be practiced by either men or women and older or younger practitioners alike.

Before the birth of the modern Tai Chi Chuan, its complexity and its many different styles prevented it from spreading to the general public. The forms of traditional Tai Chi Chuan may involve 85 to 100 different movements, which could take more than 20 minutes to complete.

The new short form consisted of 24 movements, and this routine could be performed in four to eight minutes. It was less physically demanding than longer forms and especially appealed to older beginners who want to improve their health. Practicing short forms could also lay a sound foundation for learning longer forms or other styles of Tai Chi Chuan.

Tai Chi Chuan is one of the most precious parts in Chinese therapeutic exercise, for it combines martial arts and qigong. The gentle flow between various movements contributes to a state of calmness. The nervous system can be regulated and strengthened in the process. If practiced properly, every movement of Tai Chi Chuan will be a training of body, energy and mind, known as jing, qi and shen, the "three treasures" of every person.

In Chinese medical philosophy, practicing Tai Chi Chuan can enhance the natural operation of body, energy and mind and finally prevent or cure diseases.



By: sunshine03

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eMagazines

It´s an art of longevity, practised by all to develop a balance of body and spirit. It´s based on the theory of Yin-Yang. We work on our internal energy, the Chi, and it´s called an internal martial art. It develops the harmony of gestures and corporal agility, lightens our step and gives us a vitality that irradiates from our body and spirit. It boosts our self-confidence and self-esteem, regulates the blood circulation, strengthens muscles, joints and develops our reflexes. It can be practised by all as it has no side effects.

The form, a series of slow circular movements, joined together in a flowing flexible manner.Is the base of Tai Chi Chuan, and in which the teachings that we acquire are summarized. The practise of Tai Chi Chuan leads progressively to the rooting and control of our energy as well as agility, harmony and peace. It is a search for harmony which gets better all the time. It is not a technique to be mastered; it´s a process of continuous learning about oneself, observing the sensations that are aroused in your body.

Tai Chi should not only be exterior, it should also change the interior of those who practise it, working from inside, so we don´t only practise the forms but our internal energy too.

Tai Chi is more than a technique or style of this or that school. It´s more than a tool to reach longevity, health and relaxation. It´s more more than a martial art, of combat or self-defense. It is a philosophy of life, it is a way and attitude to understanding nature and human nature. On the other hand, don´t even look for the benefits of its practise,or intend doing so because if you do you will miss out on the experience of your Being, what you yourself actually are. Expecting to feel the Chi, or the channels, or the energy, visualizing the dantien leads you to carrying out the practise mentally, subtly but far from the principles of TaiChi: and it´s therefore unrewarding. Later on you can define express and identify these reactions, objectively and without criticism, simply sharing the experience.



By: sunshine03

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Adiksi – Kecanduan

The ancient art of Tai Chi has been used to promote health in China for hundreds of years. This graceful art uses slow, circular movements to exercise the body, mind, and consciousness. In China, Tai Chi is regarded as one of the best overall forms of exercise. This martial art is especially popular with the elderly population because it is generally slower than other forms of exercise and can be practiced without too much physical exertion. The low velocity, low impact movements can be performed by older individuals experiencing joint degeneration, muscle atrophy, poor balance, and low stamina.

Many studies have been conducted to assess the effects of Tai Chi on metabolism and cardiorespiratory response, mental control, prevention of falls in the elderly and immune capacity. The measures taken in these studies include metabolic rate, heart rate, ventilation, maximal oxygen uptake, blood pressure, immune capacity, and number of falls. The results show that Tai Chi can be classified as moderate exercise, because it does not demand more than 55% of maximal oxygen uptake. After comparing the results of studies, these experts suggest Tai Chi exercise is beneficial to cardiorespiratory function, immune capacity, mental control, flexibility, and balance control. It also helps to improve muscle strength, leading to a reduced risk of falls in the elderly.

As stated earlier, practicing martial arts can increase strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Inevitably, these physical properties dissipate with age. With decreasing physical ability, the elderly are susceptible to extreme injury and death due to falling. Falls are reported to be a leading cause of accidental death of the elderly.

While it is apparent that martial arts are good for health, it turns out they can also strengthen your immune system. We all know that the virus which leads to some sort of disease does not completely go away after recovery but remains dormant in nervous tissue. With age comes a weakened immune system. As one gets older, the virus is more likely to come back. Practicing Tai Chi can improve the immune system. Many studies suggest that the elderly individuals that take part in the Tai Chi program are more likely to resist the virus.

Proven benefits of Tai Chi training for the elderly include: increased strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and prevention of osteoporosis. Improvement in any of these areas leads to a decreased risk of harmful falls. Martial arts are a safe and effective way to protect against disease and reduce the negative effects of aging.



By: sunshine01

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Trade

Tai Chi Quan is also called "philosophical Chuan," meaning that its principles and techniques all contain the idea of Tai Chi in Chinese classical philosophy. LearnING Tai Chi Quan calls, first of all, for understanding this philosophical thought. This helps to know the techniques of Tai Chi Quan.

The idea of Tai Chi is, in fact, a systematic thought of balance. Tai Chi refers to a primitive state in Chinese philosophy. It is a natural existence. The life of man was a state of Tai Chi in the earliest stage, just like the baby in the body of a mother. Therefore, people should relax their bodies and minds through exercise to return to the infant state.

The Tai Chi philosophical thought is embodied in the play of every exercise of the Tai Chi Quan.

Yin and yang are divided in every movement: the relationship of yin and yang is involved in every motion of the Tai Chi Quan, whether in a fixed form or in a process.

There is a clear distinction between the empty and the solid, and between the above and the below in every movement. In the Single Whip exercise, the left hand in front is the open palm and belongs to yang, and the right hand in the rear is the hook and belongs to yin. When the head is up slightly, it is yang, and when the crotch is relaxed and down, it is yin. When the weight is on the left leg, it is solid and belongs to yang; then the right leg is empty and belongs to yin. At the same time, every yin and yang element implies the tendency to transform itself into the opposite. This is why the play of the Tai Chi Quart changes constantly and continuously like the moving clouds and flowing water.

Motion and stillness exist together. The movements of the Tai Chi Quan are relaxed and slow. They call for stillness in motion to achieve the relaxation of the mind and body. At the same time, while in the fixed form, there must be motion in stillness so that the movements do not discontinue and the mind and energy flow do not stop. Motion and stillness are the two opposites of a contradiction-the yin and yang. The coexistence of motion and stillness is the embodiment of the Tai Chi Quan idea: "There is yin in yang, and yang in yin."

Hardness and softness are combined: if too hard, it is easy to break; if too soft, it is easy to damage. The Tai Chi Quan stresses softness to achieve hardness. In the light and soft movements is an imposing manner, assisted by the mind at the same time. Where there is the body form, there is the mind. What is tempered is the changeable and flexible "hardness." While executing the movements, softness is implied while hardness is shown in form. So exists the integral whole, whether in advance or retreat, in rise or fall, or in closing or opening. When one part moves, all parts of the body move. This effectively helps to temper the integrity and harmony of the human body and in-crease the harmony between yin and yang.

The Tai Chi thought is a strict system and it is embodied in the Tai Chi Quan in many ways.



By: sunshine03

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