WHAT IS TAI CHI?
Tai chi chuan, often shortened to tai chi, is a Chinese meditation and healing practice, an internal martial art, and a low-impact form of exercise. It is age inclusive and was developed to help participants increase flexibility, strength, and balance in the body, mind, and spirit.
The practice involves slowly moving through a series of postures that are coordinated with deep breathing and mindful awareness. Visually, it has been described as a cross between shadow boxing and slow-motion dance.
As the scientific evidence continues to build up and it becomes more recognized by medical professionals and the general public, the study of tai chi continues to grow in popularity as a means for achieving a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
WHO DOES TAI CHI?
It is estimated that over 250 million people from around the world with varying types of backgrounds and fitness levels practice tai chi.
Tai chi has extreme value in treating all conditions associated with aging and the attainment of longevity and prolonged vigor.
Tai Chi can be adapted for those with functional and mental limitations and many medical and chronic conditions.
ELITE MARTIAL ARTISTS
Throughout history, it has been used as a combative utility for military forces and has also been commonly utilized as a supplement to other martial arts. Tai chi has influenced the development of noteworthy individuals like the iconic Bruce Lee and actor Jet Li.
With its emphasis on the integration of mind and body, left and right brain stimulation, and self-awareness and motor control, tai chi can play a pivotal role in adolescent development.
AN ANCIENT CHINESE ART | TAIJIQUAN
There are many different theories about the creation of tai chi, who was responsible, and when it occured. One popular legend is that of a Taoist monk in the 12th century, Chang San-feng, who observed a fight between a crane and a snake in the Wudang Mountains. Upon witnessing the confrontation, he was inspired to develop a softer style martial art that emphasized yielding to ones attacker. Along with several other theories, there are those that believe tai chi would more appropriately be acknowledged as a creation of the Chinese culture as a whole rather than a single man.
There are five traditional styles of tai chi chuan, Yang being the most popularly practiced around the world. Named for their founding families, Chen, Yang, Hao, Wu and Sun, each style follows a different approach with it's training.
MOVEMENT, BREATH, MEDITATION
There are three intrinsic elements that help make up the system of tai chi chuan. They include the precise movement and the form structure, the internal merits and the art of coordinated inhalation and exhalation, and controlled visualization with the mind.
YIN AND YANG
In many different ways, tai chi is representative of the concept of yin and yang. As a principle of Chinese philosophy, yin and yang is an expression of opposite elements or forces in the natural world that complement each other and exist in harmony, for example fire and water or male and female. In it's application to the human body, it is also a fundamental guideline of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Health and wellness is only achievable through the balance of yin and yang according to Chinese medicine practices. Tai chi helps to promote this balance.