Tai Chi Chuan

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art practicedclosing movements.
with as much softness in the musculature asYin and Yang are the complete polar opposite of
possible. It is a slow-motion, moving meditativeeach other: the softer, more pliant and yielding,
exercise for relaxation, health and self-defense.more feminine and more negative aspects in
Originally from China, Tai Chi has gained enormousanything are viewed as Yin while the more
popularity in America and throughout the rest ofmasculine, harder, more rigid and more positive
the world for its health benefits. People play Taiaspects are seen as Yang. Both sides
Chi Chuan to improve one's well being bothcomplement each other completely and together
mentally and physically and so embrace the spiritform a perfect whole. Things in the world, which
of good living. When correctly practiced on aare perfectly balanced and in harmony, will be at
regular basis, Tai Chi Chuan can restore vigorouspeaceful state. Half of certain organs and
health, improve digestion and raises ones spirits.meridians are governed by Yin and the other half
Perhaps because of its value Tai Chi grows to beby Yang. The ultimate purpose of Tai Chi Chuan
a regular practice for millions of people worldwide.training is to strengthen Qi and maintain its
If you really want to learn Tai Chi Chuan then yousmooth flow, thus Tai Chi Cuan can prevent as
must really learn to become calm mentally bywell as cure some illness.
adjusting oneself emotionally to the task ofWhen practicing Tai Chi Chuan, one must be
"settling the breath with the body". In conceptioncalmly energetic concentrating within to develop
Tai Chi Chuan for health was created throughthe swirling and turning of the torso. In so doing
Taoist visions of the flowing and formlessyou will encourage the balance of muscle, sinew,
harmony of nature. The Taoist appreciation ofblood and inner strength. These energetic and
health development was in pursuit of restoringphysical techniques are difficult to master in their
and rejuvenating body strength, mind and will. Theentirety. To succeed, one must learn to become
player practices an inner exercise and deepa dynamic expression of Yin and Yang in
breathing to produce Chi which is a nourishingdeveloping both sensitive acceptances (Yin) within
restorative inner force which promotes health.expressive action (Yang). In performing Tai Chi
Central to Tai Chi Chuan is the belief in the life, orChuan if one uses hardness to resist violent force,
Qi which flows through invisible channels orthen both sides are certain to be injured at least
meridians in the body. The ancient Chineseto some degree.
proposed that all living things are sustained by anSuch injury, according to Tai Chi theory, is a
energy force called Qi. When the flow of Qi isnatural consequence of meeting brute force with
disrupted, illness is the result. The type of illnessbrute force. Instead, practitioners are taught not
that develops depends on which meridian isto directly fight or resist an incoming force, but to
suffering from an imbalance. And the movementsmeet it in softness and follow its motion while
of Tai Chi Chuan open and close to mirror theremaining in physical contact until the incoming
Chinese philosophical concept of an endless cycleforce of attack exhausts itself or can be safely
of Yang to Yin while Qi circulates around the bodyredirected, meeting yang with yin. Done correctly,
to maintain the balance of yin and yang. Perhaps itthis yin and yang or yang and yin balance in
is more accessible to regard yin and yang as thecombat, which means the goal of Tai Chi Chuan
foundations of the art of Tai Chi Chuan becausetraining is achieved.
of the alternation of harmoniously opening and