| If you haven't heard of tai chi, it's not just a form | | | | relieve stress and body aches. In addition, some |
| of exercise. It's actually derived from martial arts. | | | | studies show that it can help people attain greater |
| Done in a noncombat format, it utilizes a series of | | | | balance and flexibility and improve heart and blood |
| fluid physical movements that incorporate | | | | vessel function in both those who are healthy and |
| breathing and relaxation techniques. These | | | | those who have heart or circulatory conditions. |
| movements are low impact and exhibit minimal | | | | Along with modern therapeutic principles, it can be |
| pressure on joints, so tai chi is also well suited to | | | | used to create exercise plans specific to each |
| those who may have physical limitations or | | | | individual, to accommodate any health problems or |
| disability, or need to minimize impact. | | | | disabilities they may have. |
| With its fluid and flowing movement, tai chi helps | | | | The most common form of practice today is the |
| the user attain peace and tranquility. It is | | | | Yang style. It includes these following forms: |
| purported to connect the body with the universe, | | | | The long form: |
| to heaven and earth. You can apply it | | | | The long form has 108 movements that are |
| therapeutically if you suffer stress, anxiety, | | | | divided into three stages. These movements are |
| insomnia or tension. Many studies have shown | | | | the basic principles of tai chi. They include smooth |
| that if you practice it regularly, you can redirect | | | | breathing rhythms, internal calmness, strength, |
| or unblock the flow of "Chi," the vital energy and | | | | flexibility, posture and alignment, concentration, |
| blood, which will enhance your overall well-being | | | | and balance, among others. |
| and health. | | | | The short form: |
| It focuses on interactions between body, mind | | | | The short form is a simpler version of the long |
| and spirit. The intent is to use your mind in order | | | | form and includes just 24 of the original 108 |
| to affect your physical well-being and promote | | | | movements. It is less physically demanding than |
| health. Therefore, it is quite good for people who | | | | the long form, so that more people can utilize it, |
| have chronic diseases, such as high blood | | | | not just advanced practitioners. It is especially |
| pressure, fatigue, arthritis or balance and | | | | beneficial to older people and beginners. When this |
| coordination problems. It can even help with | | | | is done properly, the short form is as much |
| cancer. Its movements are not strenuous, so it | | | | benefit to the health as the long form is. |
| does not require that the user have special | | | | Therefore, the short form is quite popular and |
| flexibility or physical strength. | | | | practiced worldwide. |
| Tai chi's origins are difficult to trace. Many scholars | | | | The sword form: |
| believe its roots date back roughly to about 200 | | | | The sword form is comprised of 32 movements |
| B.C., when yoga was established as a practice in | | | | divided into four stages. These movements focus |
| ancient India. as practiced in ancient India. | | | | more on the hand positions when you hold an |
| In about the 13th century, a revered Taoist | | | | imaginary "sword" as though it is part of your |
| monk, Chang Sang Feng, created a series of | | | | fingers. |
| movements. This became the basis from which | | | | The "push hands" form: |
| subsequent styles of tai chi would be developed. | | | | This form is meant to be used by two partners |
| Later, it developed into many different styles of | | | | together. It incorporates the movements of tai |
| practice. The Chen style of practice and the Yang | | | | chi into both the offensive and defensive aspect |
| style are two of the most famous styles. Both | | | | of martial arts. It teaches students not to resist |
| are commonly practiced today. | | | | force with force, but instead to use the body to |
| Most tai chi masters prefer to practice it in the | | | | yield to force and then redirect it. This is a more |
| early morning, because the air is abundant and | | | | appealing form for younger adults. |
| fresh. In China, it's a common event for people to | | | | In short, tai chi is a form of martial arts that |
| gather in the park to practice it very early in the | | | | utilizes slow and gentle movements. If you |
| morning. According to the Chinese, the slow | | | | practice it regularly, you can enhance your |
| movements and breathing techniques cause the | | | | physical and emotional health, improve chronic |
| flow of Chi to occur in a balanced and flowing | | | | illness, prevent disease, release stress, increase |
| manner. The Chi circulates and helps unblock the | | | | your energy, and improve the quality of sleep. To |
| meridians, which helps to reduce tension or pain | | | | gain the full benefits, you have to practice it |
| and improve physical alignment while it builds | | | | regularly. Regardless of your level of physical |
| strength, stability and endurance. | | | | fitness, age or even health status, it's likely that |
| Because of this, many people practice tai chi to | | | | there is a tai chi style appropriate to you. |