By Kevin Sinclair
If you were to translate Tai Chi into English you would get something that you may not have expected as it translates into " Supreme Ultimate Force". This means that it is a state of unlimited and complete capability. This type of practice confronts the concepts between Yin and Yang, which rule over the four realms and five elements. Without these two very important aspects there would be no world, as they are what created it and control everything about it. Without Yin there can be no Yang and vice versa. Tai Chi can also be translates as meaning Unity, Oneness, or being one with.
Tai Chi uses the concept of negative and positive energy to draw ones force from the body itself. To be good at it one must be at one with himself and have the ultimate discipline of their body. Tai Chi has been practiced since ancient times and is still practiced today even in the western society. It is a series of slow movements that resemble Yoga or moving mediation, in fact you can even say that it is a mix of the two. The different movements end up making forms of the various poses of several animals and birds. It is not considered a martial art because of its slow movements.
Tai Chi is considered by practitioners as a relaxing exercise that calls upon the body, mind, soul and environment to work together. However, there are some who look at it as a type of combat due to its considerable force behind the movements. If you know anything about Chinese medicine you know that it is all about the energy force that flows through the body that is known as Chi. If for some reason the flow of good Chi is disrupted, the person can fall ill. It is a way of keeping the good chi circulating throughout the body as it should.
It is believed that Chi circulates through the body just as you blood would, reaching all organs. Therefore, because Tai Chi helps circulate Chi energy it is directly connected to other types of Chinese medicine such as acupuncture and other oriental healing. Common knowledge is that it is practiced to promote tranquility and calmness in ones mind. The mind has to be focused in order to do the complicated movements of Tai Chi. By doing it the person will learn many new skills that include motor control, balance, rhythm of movement and alignment of the limbs and body.
By practicing Tai Chi often enough the person will learn how to have better posture when sitting, standing, walking and even running. There are so many different benefits to practicing it that they can not all be discussed. However, I can tell you that it is a great way to have a healthier body and be more in control of it. By doing Tai Chi you can use a type of "combat" in a slow way without hurting the opponent. However, if you are looking for a self defense martial arts you are looking in the wrong place.
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.