Monday, October 31, 2011

Ease Stress With A Daily Tai Chi Practice

By Antonette Herns


Many philosophies in Ancient Chinese culture were integrated to create Tai Chi. The basis of this art form is a unity of the natural elements as well as the Yin and Yang energies of the male and female. The word chi represents the life energy that is in every living thing in the universe.

Tai Chi is comprised of five different elements and many different styles, making learning this martial art interesting. Most people are familiar with the slow steady movements of the nei gung element, but this soft style is only one aspect of the martial art. There are four other elements that involve self defense moves and weapons as well as response drills and forms, which are individual hand routines. Many Tai Chi styles, called hard styles, are quite fast, unlike the images that many people in the West have seen in movies.

During the 1900's the health benefits of Tai Chi were discovered in the Western world. A number of people who had no experience or even interest in wanting to learn other forms of martial art began to practice Tai chi for well being.

Through practice, one learns how to focus his mental energies and still the body as well as the mind. The meditative technique of the soft style Tai Chi is rather beneficial for relieving the stress and anxiety that can result in both emotional and physical health problems. People must focus on the movements, flow, and rhythm rather than any outside concerns. Soft styles are accepted because they can be performed by just about anyone, even people with mobility challenges and the elderly. The movements support flexibility and also meditation. The hard style area of the discipline is good for the physical body since it provides exercise that improves cardiovascular health and raises strength. Learning Tai Chi as a self defense method can not only help a person in the case of physical attack, but it can also improve self confidence.

There are many different possibilities for studying Tai Chi. One can use the softer style components to ease anxiety and provide a calming daily meditative practice. There is also the alternative of gaining discipline and excellent physical conditioning through one of the harder styles. The overall goal to this training is to generate a balance of emotional, mental and physical health.




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