Tai Chi: 太极拳, "Supreme Ultimate Fist" is an internal Chinese Martial Art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. It is also typically practised for a variety of other reasons including treating illness and promoting longevity as well as learning hard and soft martial art techniques demonstration competitions, and longevity. As a consequence, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims. Some of Taijiquan's training forms are especially known for being practiced at what most people categorize as slow speed.
From the Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view, Tai Chi and Qi Gong are used to promote personal energy for self healing and wellbeing. The Tai Chi model is based on the premise that there is a bio energy system in the body. The bio energy or Qi gets carried round the body in energy channels called meridians - a bit like the way the veins carry blood around the body. There are 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians carrying Qi throughout the body and through the major organs. Interrupted, weak or blocked flow of Qi causes illness.
Tai Chi and Qi Gong work because the muscle movements in the exercises are designed to stimulate the flow of Qi through the body and the major organs. When Qi flows smoothly people are well. Other Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises involve the cultivation or growth and storage of Qi leading to longer life, better health and faster recovery from accidents. From the Qi perspective all health conditions - even the most serious can be treated and improved with Qi Gong.
The Tai Chi forms provide the same kind of stimulation for the meridian systems.
A western perspective might focus on the purely mechanical effects of Tai Chi practice. The emphasis on correct body posture and spinal alignment while practicing Tai Chi releases tension and pressure caused by slumping - improved posture improves the digestive system and removes stress from the back. Moving weight from leg to leg is common to many Tai Chi exercises, as is extending and lifting the arms, legs and hands. All these different Tai Chi moves have one thing in common, they vary the load on joint surfaces increasing the flow of natural lubricant and nutrients into the joint, meaning that they move more easily and freely.
Who Can Do Tai Chi?
Students of Tai Chi are referred to as Tai Chi "players" and they come in all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels. Because of the slowness and ease of the movements, it is often thought that Tai Chi is mainly for senior citizens, but that is a false assumption. It can benefit the fittest athlete just as much as the weekend golfer, the teen-ager, or the arthritis sufferer. It can also be practiced by those in wheelchairs. In fact, studies show that even watching others "play" Tai Chi can reduce blood pressure in the observer. Athletes find greater balance, flexibility and more connectedness on a mind-body level, which helps with any sport. Companies see that Tai Chi improves productivity by helping employees to be happy, relaxed, and creative. Hospitals see Tai Chi as a potent, yet cost-effective, therapy for nearly any condition. Schools find improved concentration and higher test scores. Even if you think you're not coordinated or agile, you can learn these movements at your own pace.
24 Form Simplified Tai Chi.
The 24-Posture Simplified Form of Tai Ji chuan, sometimes called the Bei Jing Form for its place of origin, is a short version of Tai Chi composed of twenty-four unique movements.The form was the result of an effort by the Chinese Sports Committee, which, in 1956, brought together four Tai Chi teachers -Chu-Guiting, Cai-LongYun, Fu-Zhongwen, and Zhang-Yu- to create a simplified form of Tai Chi as exercise for the masses. The creators truncated the traditional Family style Tai Chi forms to 24 postures; taking between four and five minutes to perform and to give the beginner an introduction to the essential elements of tai chi chuan, yet retain the traditional flavor of traditional longer hand forms (in general, 88-108 postures). Henceforth, this form was broadly promoted by China for general exercise, and was also taught to internees in Communist "re-education" camps. Due to this official promotion, the 24-form is most common the Tai Chi-Form with the largest number of practitioners in China and the world over.
