| Curious about Tai Chi but running short on time | | | | training also includes the fundamental shape of the |
| and patience to make an in depth research of | | | | movement, including the transitions between |
| your own? Here is a simple but accurate article on | | | | these movements. According to some Tai Chi |
| the topic of Tai Chi sparring. It's organized and | | | | sparring experts, it is through the mastery of the |
| easy to digest. | | | | right postures that the student can develop an |
| Tai Chi, also known as Tai Chi Chuan (taijiguan) or | | | | insight into the nature of flexible strength. This |
| Taiji, is commonly translated as Supreme Ultimate | | | | level, however, requires long and diligent practice |
| Fist and is known throughout the world as a | | | | in order to master. |
| Chinese martial art that combines the principles of | | | | The next level of Tai Chi sparring involves |
| self defense with the mental and physical fitness. | | | | understanding of the energetic and self defense |
| This art is practiced by millions of people these | | | | applications. In the first place, Tai Chi sparring is |
| days for several purposes, including self defense | | | | viewed as an energy exercise. This notion |
| and for its health benefits. | | | | perhaps stemmed from the fact that when |
| Sparring is involved in basic Tai Chi practice. Tai | | | | practicing Tai Chi sparring, you are calming and |
| Chi sparring is in fact one of the most important | | | | energizing your body. |
| stages of this ancient martial art. As noted in | | | | How does Tai Chi do this? First, Tai Chi sparring |
| most resources, Tai Chi sparring is strongly | | | | eliminates the impurities caused by tension, and |
| considered as the only way to teach students of | | | | then it rouses energy to flow through the body. It |
| the art the importance of self defense, distance | | | | is this flow of energy that actually cleanses the |
| and speed. | | | | entire body. |
| Tai Chi sparring is practiced at a slow, meditative | | | | In terms of self defense applications, Tai Chi |
| pace. According to its proponents, the slow and | | | | sparring simply teaches you to understand every |
| continuous movements are generally designed to | | | | move involved in the practice. The general rule |
| impart the powerful physical skills of the sparrer, | | | | here is that every move can be done at three |
| as well as to stimulate the flow of energy within | | | | levels, which is high, middle and low. Aside from |
| the body. This slow, meditative pace involved in | | | | these levels, the movements can also be |
| Tai Chi sparring also helps to develop balance, | | | | performed in five directions, involving left, right, |
| coordination of breath and movement, | | | | back, forward and center. For many Tai Chi |
| concentration and relaxation. Simply, Tai Chi | | | | practitioners, it is very vital that every sparrer |
| sparring teaches you how to move easily without | | | | understand these applications so as to keep |
| tension in order that your mind and body can | | | | movements precise. |
| function smoothly. I think this a great health | | | | Finally, Tai Chi sparring involves coordination of the |
| benefit. | | | | breath as well as the movements. What is usually |
| There are three major levels of training involved | | | | considered in training is that you inhale with |
| in Tai Chi sparring. The first has something to do | | | | movements that lift or roll back, and in turn |
| with postures; the second with self defense | | | | exhale with movements that press or sink. |
| applications; and the third with coordination of | | | | However, it is very important to note that in Tai |
| breath with movement. | | | | Chi not every move will require a full breath. The |
| In terms of posture, the Tai Chi sparring training | | | | coordination between the breath and movement |
| primarily teaches you the right postures. What I | | | | is something that happens slowly and in |
| am actually talking about here is where exactly to | | | | unexpected ways. In the end, your body will find |
| place the hands and feet when sparring. The | | | | its own breathing rhythm. |