TAI CHI
The Magic of Tai Chi
Have you ever seen the graceful movements of the Tai Chi practitioners, as they fluidly move easily, as if moving no effort at all – LIKE MAGIC.
Tai Chi is an ancient martial art form that was developed in China many centuries ago. It is said to have healing effects that can benefit us all.
The story of Tai Chi tells us about the ancient masters of the Taoist tradition, who wanted to fully experience the universal harmony –‘Tao’ – which they felt was flowing through all things. These masters isolated themselves in mountainous regions to be at one with the ‘Tao’, the great way of the universe. The masters began to develop a martial art to promote good health and give proper defence wherever they lived. They studied the movements and habits of animals that lived long lives, such as turtles and cranes, in order to develop the soft style of motion, which became Tai Chi.
They believed that the universe was made up of female and male powers, YIN and YANG.
Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and night-time.
Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime.
Tai Chi uses the forces of nature to bring harmony of yin and yang into the body.
Harmony of body also brings harmony in the mind and spirit. When a practitioner flows through a Tai Chi form, the body moves in a way that intends to bring harmony within and without. One such form in Tai Chi, called “Raising One Hand,” has the arms stretch in opposite direction, so that one faces heaven, and the other the earth. Meanwhile, the form is stimulating the internal organs, while stretching the muscles in the arms and shoulders.
People who practice Tai Chi can experience better digestion, a sense of calm and increased vitality. They may notice that their circulation and breathing is better, and that they have more control over their moods.
Tai Chi practice also shows some favourable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and has shown to reduce the risk of falls in elderly patients, and those recovering from chronic stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and fibromyalgia. Greatly reduce pain and improve overall physical and mental health in people with severe osteoarthritis, can reduce the severity of diabetes.
Tai chi's gentle, low impact movement burn more calories than surfing and nearly as many as downhill skiing. Tai Chi can be used also as a method of self-defence.
The secret to obtaining the magic of Tai Chi lies in quieting the mind to allow the body to remain relaxed and you can cultivate as much chi – ‘life energy’ - as possible into the body and spirit.
Tai Chi can be practiced by all ages of people. One can develop strength and agility that will aid them throughout their lives; people who practice Tai Chi can feel more flexible and healthy and can experienced wellness through Tai Chi.
Have you ever seen the graceful movements of the Tai Chi practitioners, as they fluidly move easily, as if moving no effort at all – LIKE MAGIC.
Tai Chi is an ancient martial art form that was developed in China many centuries ago. It is said to have healing effects that can benefit us all.
The story of Tai Chi tells us about the ancient masters of the Taoist tradition, who wanted to fully experience the universal harmony –‘Tao’ – which they felt was flowing through all things. These masters isolated themselves in mountainous regions to be at one with the ‘Tao’, the great way of the universe. The masters began to develop a martial art to promote good health and give proper defence wherever they lived. They studied the movements and habits of animals that lived long lives, such as turtles and cranes, in order to develop the soft style of motion, which became Tai Chi.
They believed that the universe was made up of female and male powers, YIN and YANG.
Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and night-time.
Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime.
Tai Chi uses the forces of nature to bring harmony of yin and yang into the body.
Harmony of body also brings harmony in the mind and spirit. When a practitioner flows through a Tai Chi form, the body moves in a way that intends to bring harmony within and without. One such form in Tai Chi, called “Raising One Hand,” has the arms stretch in opposite direction, so that one faces heaven, and the other the earth. Meanwhile, the form is stimulating the internal organs, while stretching the muscles in the arms and shoulders.
People who practice Tai Chi can experience better digestion, a sense of calm and increased vitality. They may notice that their circulation and breathing is better, and that they have more control over their moods.
Tai Chi practice also shows some favourable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, and has shown to reduce the risk of falls in elderly patients, and those recovering from chronic stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and fibromyalgia. Greatly reduce pain and improve overall physical and mental health in people with severe osteoarthritis, can reduce the severity of diabetes.
Tai chi's gentle, low impact movement burn more calories than surfing and nearly as many as downhill skiing. Tai Chi can be used also as a method of self-defence.
The secret to obtaining the magic of Tai Chi lies in quieting the mind to allow the body to remain relaxed and you can cultivate as much chi – ‘life energy’ - as possible into the body and spirit.
Tai Chi can be practiced by all ages of people. One can develop strength and agility that will aid them throughout their lives; people who practice Tai Chi can feel more flexible and healthy and can experienced wellness through Tai Chi.