Tai
Chi
T'ai
chi chuan, also known as Tai Chi, is a fitness regimen that
was developed to promote the flow of chi (qi), or energy
within the body.
Through
slow flowing movements, Tai Chi increases strength and muscle
tone, enhances range of motion and flexibility, and improves
balance and coordination. As well, practitioners of Traditional
Chinese Medicine believe that although these positions are
low impact and low intensity, they have the power to break
up chi (qi) blockage, and re-establish the flow of this
vital force.
All
Tai Chi movements are pairs of opposition, i.e. left and
right, yield and thrust, etc., which reflect the attempt
to harmonize the two opposing forces of yin and yang.
Ultimately,
Tai Chi is a moving form of meditation where precision movements
and controlled breathing are synchronized to enable the
practitioner to flow with the direction of energy in and
around the body.
Tai
Chi has beneficial effects similar to those of western aerobic
exercise, minus the stresses and strains. This could account
for its recent surge in popularity in the West.
What
Can Tai Chi Treat?
Tai
Chi offers a variety of quality of life benefits, such as
improved cognitive ability, decreased levels of anxiety,
depression, stress, and muscular tension, improved circulation,
speed of rehabilitation following surgery, injury, or serious
illness, and enhanced energy combined with an overall sense
of well being.
Reading
Selections on Tai Chi |
|
|
|