|Tai Chi Chuan or Tai Chi for short originated from ancient China as part of the boxing system known as kung fu. If you visualize a spectrum to represent the whole range of kung fu schools, Tai Chi would be on the extreme left side with other "soft-fist" schools while "hard-fist" schools would be on the right represented by the Shoalin school. "Hard-fist" schools demand very physical training and characteristics opposite of "soft-fist" schools. All "soft-fist" schools emphasize:
Nowadays, Tai Chi is practiced as an exercise for health, it:
Concentrating on correct posture and breathing control, Tai Chi's movements are fluid, graceful and well balanced, promoting the complete harmony of body and mind. Tai Chi provides the mental relaxation and physical fitness so essential in our modem stress-filled lives.
Tai Chi incorporates stretching and turning in every movement, placing the emphasis on health improvement. With diligent practice, this type of movement produces a profound effect on all systems of the body by reducing tension, improving circulation and increasing stability, strength and flexibility. In time, the internal aspects of the art of Tai Chi penetrate deeper than the muscles to benefit the entire physiology.
The fast-paced yet sedentary nature of modern life often results in stress and a lack of sufficient physical activity. Many thousands of individuals have found the massage-like movements of Tai Chi to be an effective therapy for a wide range of health problems including poor circulation, headaches, high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, breathing difficulties, digestive and nervous disorders, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, cystic fibrosis and Fibromyalgia. By restoring proper circulation and relieving tension in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, Tai Chi helps to optimize the functioning of the whole body. In this way health is restored and the proper functioning of all systems is maintained.
CULTIVATING MIND & BODY
Tai Chi is based on the recognition that a person's health depends on the harmonious interplay of mind and body. Stress, anxiety and extreme fluctuation of the emotions have harmful physical side effects. In addition to restoring physical vigor and relaxation, the movements of Tai Chi exert a calming influence on the mind by engaging one's total concentration. This results in a natural form of meditation in movement. Tai Chi truly embodies the culmination of thousands of years of research into a system for complete physical, mental and spiritual health!