What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi , literally translated from the Chinese characters, means “Supreme Ultimate”. In its’ present day format it can be best described as form of Yoga and Meditation combined. There are a number of so- called forms which consist of a sequence of movements. Many of these movements are originally derived from the martial arts although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.
For most practitioners the focus in Tai Chi is as a meditative exercise for the body. In Chinese medicine “Chi” is a vital force which animates the body. The aim of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of this 'chi' within the body, the belief being that by doing so the health and vitality of the person are enhanced. However there is also a martial art element to Tai Chi, but not to the extent of typical martial arts such as Karate, Tae-Kwan-Do etc.
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Tai Chi
The different styles of Tai Chi
There are hundreds of tai chi styles. The six most popular styles are the Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun and Wu-Hao and Fa styles. Yang style is the most popular when focusing on health issues, however Chen style, with its lower stances and focus on martial development, is most popular as a self-defense art. However, despite visual differences all tai chi styles share the same basic underlying philosophy.
The benefits of Tai-Chi
There are many benefits, both physical and psychological, to be derived from the practice of Tai- Chi. Tai Chi exercises will make you fitter and give you increased flexibility, and because it is an almost zero impact form of exercise it is suitable for all ages, especially the older generations. From a psychological standpoint, Tai Chi helps to balance our minds and emotions by giving us a sense of calm where by performing an extremely relaxing movement the mind follows the body and calms down. With a relaxed and calm mind our emotions become more stable and peaceful.
