Tai-Chi: Fitness for the Body and Mind

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Understanding The Art Of Yang Tai Chi

December 6th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Prolonged exposure to stress can comprise your health and if you are not careful, stress can land you in the hospital. One of the best ways to reduce stress is to do some physical activities and exercising. Physical exercises like yang tai chi are very effective when it comes to reducing stress and helping you relax. Aside from reducing stress, this form of exercise can also be used to tone up your muscles. The constant movements involved in this form of exercise can develop the tones of your muscles over time. In fact, most people who have been into yang tai chi for a couple of months may already notice some improvements in their muscles tones.

What Is Yang Tai Chi?

Yang tai chi is the most commonly practiced form of tai chi in the world today. This form of tai chi is characterized by uniformly slow movements from start to finish. Unlike the other forms tai chi where the speed of the movements vary, yang tai chi does everything is even pace. Moreover, yang tai chi is geared towards softness and strength that is why the first is never clenched during punches in yang tai chi.

Can Yang Tai Chi Be Used As A Form Of Self Defense?

Yang tai chi may be used as a form of self defense. According to experts, the ability to use yang tai chi as a form of self-defense is the ultimate goal of this form of martial arts. Note that tai chi is originally a form of martial arts and people in the older times engage in this form of exercise to help defend him/her self in combat. The general principle of tai chi as a form of martial arts is that resisting violent force with hardness may result in more injuries but with softness and flexibility, a person may be able to escape from serious injuries resulting from the application of brute form. Furthermore, the idea in yang tai chi as a form of martial arts is that by meeting the violent force with softness and waiting until the brute force has been exhausted before redirecting the force, the fighter can safely defend him/herself.

Yang tai chi as a form of martial arts relies on the fighter’s sensitivity to the movements of his or her opponents. He or she must remain clam and watching during the fight in order to capture the opponent’s center of gravity. Once he or she captures the center of gravity of his or her opponent, he or she can now overcome his or her opponent with the use of pushes and open hand strikes.

The Serene Grace Of Wu Tai Chi

December 4th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

To many people who have heard of the term “tai chi”, the images in their mind are the slow, controlled dance of wu tai chi. This is one of the oldest forms of tai chi – yes, there are many “denominations” of tai chi, just like in Protestantism. Only these denominations are known as schools. The advantage of wu tai chi is not only is it easy (if you practice) and can be done at any age (well, you do have to be able to stand) but you look so cool doing it.

Hard To Describe

Trying to describe the movements of wu tai chi with just words or even still photographs is like trying to describe a fireworks display to someone who has never seen fireworks. You really have to see it in order to really appreciate and understand it. Fortunately, that’s not too difficult. There are wu tai chi schools and instructors in 6 continents (seven, if the penguins in Antarctica get interested). There are many free videos online that show wu tai chi movements. And there are many instructional videos and DVDs about wu tai chi with excellent film.

Why Wu?

Wu Tai Chi got its name from its founder, Master Wu Jainquan (1870-1942). The first name caught on more than the second. His father was a master in martial arts. Master Wu Jainquan originally learned Tai Chi Chuan, and then adapted the best parts of all of the schools of Tai Chi at the time to develop wu tai chi. This school of tai chi has been called a “moving meditation”. Some people meditate best by sitting still – others meditate best when they do a ritual movement, such as making and drinking a cup of tea, having a walk or doing tai chi.

Many of the goals and benefits of wu tai chi are the same as for mediation and yoga. You hopefully will learn better balance, coordination and calm. Regular exercise is important for everybody, especially senior citizens who may be limited in choices of exercises. Wu tai chi is often recommended for senior citizens.

The Dance

In learning wu tai chi, you will be learning some strange terms. With practice and repition, these terms for the postures and movements will become as familiar as your native tongue. Learning new things helps exercise your brain and keep that fit and healthy just like regular exercise keeps your body fit and healthy.

The Beauty and Difference Of Wu Style Tai Chi

December 2nd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

When you think of Tai Chi, you typically think of Wu style Tai Chi, which is one of the most popular forms of Tai Chi in existence today. Wu style Tai Chi involves slow, subtle movements, stances, as well as the development of your inner Chi, which is your life force or energy. Chi is very important in all forms of Tai Chi. For instance, watching Tai Chi looks as though the movements wouldn’t have much power at all. However, if you were to be on the receiving end of the strikes, or you were to be blocked by a practitioner of Wu style Tai Chi, you’d find the strikes and blocks to be very powerful and strong. It’s the inner chi that makes these movements so powerful. However, to build up that Chi, the Wu style Tai Chi must be taught properly. That means perfect movements, perfect stance, and a perfect frame of mind. Essentially, Wu style Tai Chi brings the mind, body and spirit into one being, making this a great art form for anyone looking for self improvement.

Wu style Tai Chi must be taught properly from a learned instructor. You would be doing a great disservice to yourself to learn from a video tape or book, even though there are countless instructions like these on the market. It’s a misconception that Wu style Tai Chi is a slow martial art that only focuses on meditation. While this is true, this is only part of the lesson. Most classes only teach this part, but there is much more to it. Wu style Tai Chi is, in fact, a true martial art. There is sparring and weapons training, but this only comes after the initial slow movements are taught. The thinking is that you must learn how to do it slow before you learn how to do it fast. Most classes only teach the slow methodical form of Wu style Tai Chi because either the instructor hasn’t learned past that point, or the students have no interest in the practical applications of the art form.

Finding A Class

Wu style Tai Chi is only one of the three forms of Tai Chi in existence today but it’s one of the most popular, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a class that teaches the proper movements. Even if you don’t progress beyond the slow, methodical movements, it can still be very beneficial to you. There are many benefits to taking a class in Wu style Tai Chi, such as peace of mind, an increased awareness of your spiritual self, as well as an increase in your chi, or life energy, which we all could use a boost of.

A Guide to Wider Taichi

November 30th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Wider Taichi is basically an expanded form of the art of Taichi, and so it includes all of the basics of the regular form of Taichi but with many additions as well. Before you can properly understand about Wider Taichi however, you have to learn about the basics of its root form, Taichi.

Taichi

Taichi is a Chinese martial art form that is primarily practiced for its multitude of health benefits, and it especially helps people dealing with stress and anxiety. Taichi works by emphasizing relaxation and is essentially a form of meditation in itself. It is characterized primarily by soft, flowing movements and moves that emphasize force rather than brute strength.

Taichi is believed to have certain psychological benefits and is intended to help one deal with issues in their life and better understand oneself and to enable one to deal with others more effectively as well.

Wider Taichi

Wider Taichi follows and includes all of these methods and concepts but integrates more as well, and this includes: healing power of Taichi postures, medical research on the effects of Taichi, working with Parkison’s disease, pushing hands, Taichi walking, Taichi hands, Taichi and Kung Fu, and Cheng Man-Ching.

The healing power of Taichi postures is a particularly important issue in Wider Taichi, and this basically discusses the fact of how Taichi heals the body by sending internal energy to each functional organ, and the movement of each and every different posture in the form directs chi to a different organ.

This is very important, because while most other exercises in the world only focus on one or several different body parts, Taichi works by focusing on them all. Some of the postures even double up and result in sending the chi energy to the same area.

Some of the most commonly practiced Wider Taichi postures are: grasp sparrows tail, rollback, press, withdraw, push, single whip, lift hands, retreat shoulder, stork spreads wings, brush knee and twist step, play guitar, fist under elbow, slant flying, needle at sea bottom, fan through the back, fair lady works at shuttles, sweep lotus with leg, and bend bow and shoot tiger.

Each of these different postures acts upon a different organ or area of the body, and when combined together they work to create a full embodiment of the mind, body and soul. Out of all the available forms of exercise in the world, Taichi is one of the best, without question, and if you have not tried it before you definitely need to.

To Understand What Is Tai Chi Think Of It As “Supreme Ultimate Force”

November 28th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

If you want to know what is Tai Chi, the first thing you will need to understand is, that in Chinese it means “Supreme Ultimate Force” in which “Supreme ultimate” is related in the Chinese way of thinking in which there is yin and yang which is further defined as male/female, dark/light and active or passive and even forceful or yielding in everything a person does. And, the ‘Force,” or fist as the Chinese translate it in their own language, is believed to be the best way of achieving the correct balance of yin and yang.

Linking Yoga And Meditation Together Can Help Answer What Is Tai Chi

However, in the present times, and Tai Chi as it is known to the Western world, should be thought of as a form of movement comparable to yoga and also meditation when combined together. What’s more, when you think about what is Tai Chi, you will realize that it contains many forms that are really movements performed in sequence and most of these movements are really taken from martial arts; though, in Tai Chi, these movements have to be performed in a gentle, soft as well as smooth and even graceful manner, and even during transition from one movement to the other.

There are many practitioners of Tai Chi that actually consider what is Tai Chi to be a question that can be answered by comparing it to meditation which is its aim when exercising the body, though others consider the martial aspects as being of more importance. In any case, in Chinese medicine and also philosophy, the concept of circulation of ‘chi’ is very important if you wish to remain healthy and vital and it is ‘chi’ that goes about in the body in patterns that resemble or are related closely to the vascular and also nervous system. And, it is also closely linked to I Ching which is the Chinese way of divination.

Also, you will learn about what is Tai Chi by understanding that it aims to foster tranquility and calmness in the mind, and this can best is achieved through precisely focusing on executing Tai Chi exercises, and when these exercises have been properly learnt, there will be opportunity to learn about many things including alignment, balance, motor-control and it even helps you to stand, walk as well as move and run much better. It is also known to help correct a posture that is poor, and also helps align patterns that would otherwise cause injury or even tension, and the exercises are good for meditation and thus will provide relaxation and also becalm the person.

What is Tibetan Tai Chi?

November 26th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Tibetan Tai Chi was developed more than 6 centuries ago by a Tibetan monk while he was meditating in the mountains of Tibet. From his study of the movements of animals such as the tiger, the crane and the praying mantis, he became impressed by their grace and suppleness of movement. In time he began to imitate their movements and though he was quite old, he began to feel young, full of energy, healthier and calmer.

Today in the East, Tibetan Tai-Chi is taught to just a few students and they are carefully evaluated and screened by the master. The lost art of the original Tibetan Tai-Chi is practiced by very few masters, and they learned it from their fathers that were trained in the Soringi Temple.

What are the Benefits of Tibetan Tai-Chi?

Science has admitted that there are many benefits associated with the practice of Tibetan Tai-Chi. It is said that practicing this ancient art can bring improvement to your balance and flexibility. It is also said to improve the health of those who suffer with chronic cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and heart failure. It also addresses pain issues for those who suffer with multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

Those who are elderly and practice Tibetan Tai-Chi will notice an improvement in flexibility having more ease rising from their beds in the morning. It also prevents falls that are so dangerous to older bones by increasing stability through better balance.

Even those people who were considered to be in good health were noted to have an improvement in their respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Think of the benefits that practicing Tibetan Tai-Chi can bring to those people who have had heart failure, coronary artery bypass surgery and people who have been diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.

When you practice Tibetan Tai-Chi you will experience benefits that extend to your mental health and well being too. Those who practice this Oriental art have reported a decrease in stress and anxiety, and in the modern world that is full of tension on a daily basis, this can only be a good thing.

Information on Tibetan Tai-Chi

There are many places you can discover and explore more about this ancient art. You can visit a new age or health store and see if they have any information on alternative medicine and holistic remedies. Often Tai-Chi classes are included in this type of data.

You can do more research on Tibetan Tai-Chi on the internet. You may find programs right in your area that can introduce you to this new way of dealing with pain and other chronic conditions. Exploring the possibilities that it can bring you is a fine way to care for yourself to ensure you have many more happy years ahead of you.

 

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Copyright © 2007 Tai-Chi: Fitness for the Body and Mind

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