Archive for the ‘Tai Chi as a Martial Art’ Category
July 22nd, 2010 | 
Author: Tai Chi can be learned in a relatively short time depending on two factors. Firstly the style and form you are learning and also the effort you put in practicing at home. One should devote time to daily practice.
Tai Chi is movement, posture, coordination of arms and legs and also the ability to remember movements in sequence. It also aids in correcting bad habitual postures.
Practicing a short form of Tai Chi could take four to six minutes to complete and longer forms with many more movements could take fifteen to twenty minutes to complete, some months to learn and a lifetime to perfect.
Relaxation in movement is an important factor in learning and practicing Tai Chi. Remember that you derive benefits from its continuous flowing circular movements. Being in the moment is the key to your success.
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Tai Chi and Chi Kung styles are not the same. Different Tai Chi styles were created by different family heads and going into the philosophy and structure of these families is a lifelong journey of discovery. Originally Tai Chi Chuan Fa which translates into Grand Ultimate Fist and as the name suggests its origin was a fighting art and later many health benefits were discovered and still to this day hospitals, clinics and universities study the movements and the reports are astounding. Benefits from cancer to HIV and many more health issues.
Some styles use large circular movements and others smaller ones as well as the steps larger and smaller, higher and lower stances and postures of various descriptions. The lower the stance the more cardiovascular the form becomes. The web is filled with medical reports on various styles.
When it comes to Chi Kung (Chinese yoga) practice, there are more than 3000 different styles. Chi Kung has been around for thousands of years and has become one of the most popular exercise activities for all ages around the world today.
Tai Chi and Chi Kung as old as they are are the exercise of the future. Make them part of your life and live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.
No. You don’t have to be fit to start your Tai Chi and Chi Kung practice.
This ancient Chinese Internal Martial Art has been beneficial to all age groups of different fitness levels; it is even beneficial to those confined to wheel chairs. As you become accustomed to the movements and feel comfortable with this mystical slow moving full body exercise routine, you will become fitter and stronger in body and mind and develop a real sense of health and wellbeing.
With it’s full body movements and it’s twists and turns, using coordinated body mind and breath awareness, Tai Chi and Chi Kung will change you so you will have a much more positive outlook on life and the ability to tackle your daily chores with vigor and enthusiasm.
The benefits of Tai Chi and Chi Kung to body and mind are so powerful, together with continuous flowing movement; awaken the body’s intrinsic energy flow.
You will want to make Tai Chi and Chi Kung part of your every day routine for the rest of your life.
Many people don’t realize that Tai Chi Quan in it’s form is a very effective Martial Art. Most people have a picture in their minds of dozens of old people practicing slow motion synchronized movements for health in the early morning in parks all around the world.
Tai Chi is based on the Yin and Yang theory, Yin (soft) Yang (hard), slow and fast which means that as Tai Chi practitioners, we should train both aspects in order to get full benefits of the art irrespective of what style is practiced.
The slow graceful practice of the form improves one’s breath and coordination as well as the perfection of movement in combat. You will derive both benefits in your practice for total health and wellbeing as well as fluid understanding.
A teacher that has experience in both is a true asset to your Tai Chi journey towards understanding the balance needed to improve how you live and enjoy your life.
In our school we strive to achieve relaxation and effectiveness of movement in all aspects of our Tai Chi training which is also known as Grand Ultimate Fist. Many different martial arts of recent years have adopted movements from our Chinese heritage.
Your perseverance in practicing both in class and at home is the key to your success and a healthy living lifestyle.