Why Proper Clothing Is So Important In Tai Chi

Tai Chi requires fundamental meditation skills to execute properly. There are a variety of important aspects to your martial arts and exercise workout. Issues to consider in your session include:

Proper exercise clothing

Environment

Ambiance

Disruptions

Some of the experts argue that wearing proper clothing during the exercise session is every bit as essential as the mental preparation before actual session itself. They rationalize that:

Spiritual energy Qi flows from every pore in the body

Tight and inhibitive clothing can severely diminish the flows of energy in your body. This is especially important to those who are starting to learn the skills of the ancient art. Starters tend to have more difficulty in detecting and managing Qi.

This artistic martial art is a moving meditation, tough heavy clothing like jeans and jackets are, so rigid and not as flexible, that it will hinder body movement and encumber the practitioner.

Tight or heavy clothing tends to be uncomfortable, especially in the middle of a meditation.

Properties of the right exercise clothing

The proper clothing is soft, light, and supple. For best results the clothes should be:

Soft as not to distract the practitioner

Light as not to inhibit movement

Supple enough to accommodate the postures

Made of cotton, linen, or silk

Linen pants are a favorite choice since linen is thermo-regulating, strong, durable and more resistant to wear and abrasion. Traditional Chinese martial arts masters uses silk since, silk was plentiful in china. Cotton is also an alternative if silk and linen are not easily available. Cotton is cool and is also less expensive.

Colors and Uniforms

The most common color of Tai Chi clothing is black and white, but there are no restrictions to the color of clothing that you wear. If attending a specific school there may be a specific color that is required by students.

There are many other schools that do not require specially designed uniforms. Instead, they use a printed T-shirt as the school uniform. Usually, the shirt is white and the school’s logo or Tai Chi symbols are printed on it. Trousers are the student’s responsibility.

The right clothing does not define the skill in the art. Any person interested in the art of Tai Chi can try it. It is a really a state of mind and does not require specific clothing. You can practice the meditation in the middle of Sahara wearing only a swimsuit if you wanted to.

The proper exercise clothing only serves to make you comfortable while practicing your art, so getting uncomfortable clothes defeats the purpose. Tai Chi is suppose to help you balance your mind and body so whatever cloths you decide to wear they should not distract you from your meditation experience.



By: Gregg Hall

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about clothes and accessories at http://www.clothesandaccessoriesplus.com



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Why You Should Learn Tai Chi

Tai Chi combines movement, meditation and breathing, to enhance the flow of vital energy in the body, to increase both physical and mental well-being.

Tai Chi is one of the most broadly applicable systems of self-care in the world and is suitable for both young and old alike.

In China, it is estimated that 300 million people alone practice Tai Chi.

Tai Chi however is not just practised in China, in the 20th century it spread throughout the world and as we enter the 21st century, it is more popular than ever.

Tai Chi – The Form

There are several styles of movement and approaches to Tai Chi, some of them historic and some developed in recent years.

Each has its own individual charteristics and carries the name of the clan or family who developed it i.e. Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun etc.

All the principles of Tai Chi are put into practice in a non stop sequence of moves called the form.

Each Tai Chi style has its own distinctive way of presenting the form in terms of: The postures included, the order in which they appear, the way they are performed and finally, how long the form actually takes to complete.

Although the different styles of Tai Chi present the form in different ways, the purpose and the philosophy behind them is the same.

Tai Chi and Health

When Tai Chi is practised, the movement creates streams of energy to flow through the body.

In the philosophy of Tai Chi, it is said Chi (life energy) follows the mind, each posture and movement creates a different energy flow that, has a benifital overall affect on overall well-being.

Tai Chi stimulates circulation, aligns the skeleton and joints correctly, stimulates the organs of the body and helps digestion.

It increases muscle tone, strength, improves balance and co ordination and improves breathing.

Tai Chi does not just provide physical benefits; by raising energy levels, it also affects the mind and the spirit.

Tai Chi focuses thought, so that mind and body energy works together as one. When practising Tai Chi, people find that they are not just physically fitter but, happier, more alert, have greater mental focus and are more creative.

It is this harnessing of mental and physical energy that makes Tai Chi not just a form of exercise; it makes it a life enhancing experience.

Learning Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an exercise for people of all ages and all levels of fitness.

The movements of Tai Chi are non-strenuous, relaxed, slow moving, soft, and flowing.

It has often been described as moving meditation, as it relieves stress and improves concentration.

It is the gentleness and slowness of Tai Chi that makes it so applicable to everyone as a form of exercise.

When you watch Tai Chi being performed, it looks effortless but this comes from a considerable amount of practice.

When taking up Tai Chi it is best to pick an experienced teacher, who can guide motivate and encourage you. Simply, go with someone you are comfortable with.

The style of Tai Chi you pick Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun or any other form, is down to personal preference; the benefits described however apply to all styles.



By: Stephen Todd

About the Author:
To learn more about Tai Chi and our services please visit our web site: http://www.re-vitalise.co.uk



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The Origins of Tai Chi

The principles of Tai Chi were established by Taoist hermits and evolved as a martial fighting art called Tai Chi Chuan.

The early Tai Chi teachers were mystical figures however; the exception was Chang San-Feng, who was the first major figure in Tai Chi history.

The Ming Dynasty places his date of birth at 1247 and he is credited with being the founder of the fighting art called Wudang Kung fu.

He is believed to have studied under a Taoist recluse living in the mountains of Northwest China; he then studied at a Shaolin temple.

The Shaolin temple is credited as the originator of fighting martial arts such as Shaolin temple boxing and Kung Fu.

After watching a fight between a bird and a snake, Chang was impressed by the ability of the snake to dodge and counter attack the larger crane.

Chang observed this ability to defend and counter attack and then modified his Kung Fu fighting technique.

From this point on the soft or internal Chinese marshal arts were born including: Ba Gua, Hsingi and Tai Chi Chan.

Chen Style The 17th century in China was a time of war and Tai Chi was developed as a fighting discipline. The most famous of these was the Chen style of Tai Chi founded by Chen Wang T’ing who served under general Chi Chi-Guang.

General Chi Chi-Guang is credited with writing the “classic of Kung Fu” which, set out the principles of what has now become the Cheng style of Tai Chi.

T’ing is credited as being the first person to refer to Tai Chi Chuan rather than Wudang kung fu.

Yang Style Yang Lu-Chan found work in the household of Chen Chang-xing and secretly spied on Tai Chi Sessions of his master.

One day he offered to fight a stranger in front of Chen, who was unaware of his fighting skills.

Chen was so impressed by his performance that he accepted Yang as a student, Yang then travelled throughout China as Chen’s representative and in any fights he took part in legend has it he was never beaten.

Yang adapted the Chen style to be a gentler version of Tai Chi. Today, Chen is acknowledged as the oldest of the three Tai Chi styles but it is Yang’s style is more popular.

Wu Yu Hsiang Style The third major style of Tai Chi was developed by Wu Yu-Hsiang, who studied with Yang and Chen.

His style incorporates features of both styles and these three styles form the base from which many other styles have flourished.

Modern Developments The government in Peking in 1949 established the Wushu Council to formulate a style that would popularise Tai Chi, improve people’s health and make it a competitive sport.

The Wushu style is responsible for popularising Tai Chi and bringing it to a greater audience than ever before.

A new style called the Beijing 24 step form came from this research and has become popular worldwide.

The most famous of the Tai Chi masters of the 20th century was Chen Man-Ching; he simplified the Yang style big form of 108 postures cutting it to just 37.

This style is easier to learn and established Chan Man Ching as the most influential Tai Chi master of the 20th Century.



By: Stephen Todd

About the Author:
Re Vitalise offer regular tuition and there are several Tai Chi weekend breaks available. To learn more about our services please visit our web site: http://www.re-vitalise.co.uk



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What Is Tai Chi And How Can It Benefit Our Health?

If you haven’t heard of tai chi, it’s not just a form of exercise. It’s actually derived from martial arts. Done in a noncombat format, it utilizes a series of fluid physical movements that incorporate breathing and relaxation techniques. These movements are low impact and exhibit minimal pressure on joints, so tai chi is also well suited to those who may have physical limitations or disability, or need to minimize impact.

With its fluid and flowing movement, tai chi helps the user attain peace and tranquility. It is purported to connect the body with the universe, to heaven and earth. You can apply it therapeutically if you suffer stress, anxiety, insomnia or tension. Many studies have shown that if you practice it regularly, you can redirect or unblock the flow of “Chi,” the vital energy and blood, which will enhance your overall well-being and health.

It focuses on interactions between body, mind and spirit. The intent is to use your mind in order to affect your physical well-being and promote health. Therefore, it is quite good for people who have chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, fatigue, arthritis or balance and coordination problems. It can even help with cancer. Its movements are not strenuous, so it does not require that the user have special flexibility or physical strength.

Tai chi’s origins are difficult to trace. Many scholars believe its roots date back roughly to about 200 B.C., when yoga was established as a practice in ancient India. as practiced in ancient India.

In about the 13th century, a revered Taoist monk, Chang Sang Feng, created a series of movements. This became the basis from which subsequent styles of tai chi would be developed. Later, it developed into many different styles of practice. The Chen style of practice and the Yang style are two of the most famous styles. Both are commonly practiced today.

Most tai chi masters prefer to practice it in the early morning, because the air is abundant and fresh. In China, it’s a common event for people to gather in the park to practice it very early in the morning. According to the Chinese, the slow movements and breathing techniques cause the flow of Chi to occur in a balanced and flowing manner. The Chi circulates and helps unblock the meridians, which helps to reduce tension or pain and improve physical alignment while it builds strength, stability and endurance.

Because of this, many people practice tai chi to relieve stress and body aches. In addition, some studies show that it can help people attain greater balance and flexibility and improve heart and blood vessel function in both those who are healthy and those who have heart or circulatory conditions. Along with modern therapeutic principles, it can be used to create exercise plans specific to each individual, to accommodate any health problems or disabilities they may have.

The most common form of practice today is the Yang style. It includes these following forms:

The long form:

The long form has 108 movements that are divided into three stages. These movements are the basic principles of tai chi. They include smooth breathing rhythms, internal calmness, strength, flexibility, posture and alignment, concentration, and balance, among others.

The short form:

The short form is a simpler version of the long form and includes just 24 of the original 108 movements. It is less physically demanding than the long form, so that more people can utilize it, not just advanced practitioners. It is especially beneficial to older people and beginners. When this is done properly, the short form is as much benefit to the health as the long form is. Therefore, the short form is quite popular and practiced worldwide.

The sword form:

The sword form is comprised of 32 movements divided into four stages. These movements focus more on the hand positions when you hold an imaginary “sword” as though it is part of your fingers.

The “push hands” form:

This form is meant to be used by two partners together. It incorporates the movements of tai chi into both the offensive and defensive aspect of martial arts. It teaches students not to resist force with force, but instead to use the body to yield to force and then redirect it. This is a more appealing form for younger adults.

In short, tai chi is a form of martial arts that utilizes slow and gentle movements. If you practice it regularly, you can enhance your physical and emotional health, improve chronic illness, prevent disease, release stress, increase your energy, and improve the quality of sleep. To gain the full benefits, you have to practice it regularly. Regardless of your level of physical fitness, age or even health status, it’s likely that there is a tai chi style appropriate to you.



By: Kevin Sinclair

About the Author:

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of My-Personal-Growth.com, a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.



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