Many years ago I used to study Tai Chi, mainly due to the amount of stress I was under at the time due to my work. I initially chose it over Yoga, as I felt it fitted me better. As with much of my Spiritual learnings, I stepped off of this path and became somewhat lost in the endless pathways, but as it is with many people, they all seem to converge back together at the same point. So once again I find myself watching videos and re-educating myself in this ancient Chinese art.
Tai Chi is a type of martial art that has evolved over the years into an effective means of alleviating stress and anxiety. It has been considered to be a form of 'meditation in motion' which promotes serenity and inner peace.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition, its beliefs are thought to have been created by the Taoist monk Zhang Sanfeng in the 12th century.
The phrase "t'ai chi ch'uan" translates to "supreme ultimate fist" or "boundless fist". Tai Chi has influences that go back to Taoist and Buddhist monasteries.
Tai Chi is considered to be safe for people of all ages as it does not put too much stress on the muscles and joints.
In addition to being safe, Tai Chi is also inexpensive as it does not require much equipment. It can be practiced either in a group or alone.
Modern research has found that Tai Chi has positive effects on balance control, fitness, and flexibility. In addition, the martial art has been claimed to reduce the risk of falls among elderly individuals who have suffered from severe heart conditions.
History of Tai Chi
Tai Chi has various different styles and variations, each of which has its own lineage and date of origin. Some forms of Tai Chi focus on health while others stress competition or self-defence.
The concepts of Tai Chi go back to the beginning of written Chinese history from Taoism and Confucianism. The founder of Tai Chi is believed to be Zhang Sanfeng.
There are stories that claim Zhang Sanfeng left his monastery to become a Taoist hermit and created his own form of fighting based on softness.
Sanfeng is thought to have said:
"In every movement, every part of the body must be light and agile and strung together. The postures should be without breaks. Motion should be rooted in the feet, released through the legs, directed by the waist and expressed by the fingers. Substantial and insubstantial movements must be clearly differentiated."
What are the health benefits of Tai Chi?
The health benefits of Tai Chi are currently being widely studied. The art has been associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression, and enhanced mood, in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions.
In addition, Tai Chi has been shown to improve aerobic capacity, increase energy, and build muscle strength.
There are health benefits associated with Tai Chi for people suffering from:
Parkinson's disease - a study found that patients with Parkinson's disease who practiced Tai Chi experienced significantly improved walking ability, posture, and fewer falls.
Chronic heart failure - researchers revealed that patients with chronic heart failure experienced a better quality of life and mood if they regularly practice Tai Chi.
Fibromyalgia - people living with fibromyalgia responded well to Tai Chi. They reported relief from joint pains as well as other symptoms.
Diabetes - Tai Chi can improve blood glucose levels and immune system response in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Depression - a weekly tai chi exercise class could be very effective at treating symptoms of depression.