Tai ChiTai Chi

              

What is Tai Chi?What is Tai Chi? Tai Chi Chuan can be Tai Chi Chuan can be

translated as translated as “Supreme Ultimate “Supreme Ultimate Force.” Many people Force.” Many people think of Tai Chi as a think of Tai Chi as a mixture of yoga and mixture of yoga and meditation combined. meditation combined. It is also a type of It is also a type of martial arts that is martial arts that is expressed slowly and expressed slowly and freely throughout the freely throughout the entire body. entire body.

Types of tai chiTypes of tai chi Chen Style Tai Chi-Chen Style Tai Chi- Chen style Tai Chi Chuan is the oldest Chen style Tai Chi Chuan is the oldest

form of Tai Chi from which all the other styles derived. Chen form of Tai Chi from which all the other styles derived. Chen style is known for its lower stances, silk reeling, jumps, style is known for its lower stances, silk reeling, jumps, stamps and Fa Jing encapsulated within a smooth flowing stamps and Fa Jing encapsulated within a smooth flowing powerful form.powerful form.

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan- Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan- Yang Style Taiji is recognized Yang Style Taiji is recognized for large and relatively simplified movements which along for large and relatively simplified movements which along with sponsorship form the Chinese Government have helped with sponsorship form the Chinese Government have helped to make Yang Style one of the most popular styles of Tai Chi to make Yang Style one of the most popular styles of Tai Chi practiced in the world today. practiced in the world today.

Sun Style Tai Chi Chuan- Sun Style Tai Chi Chuan- Sun-style Tai Chi is recognised Sun-style Tai Chi is recognised by its small high postures with flowing movements forwards by its small high postures with flowing movements forwards

and backwards accompanied by connected arms movements.and backwards accompanied by connected arms movements.

Types of Tai Chi cont.Types of Tai Chi cont. Guang Ping Tai Chi-Guang Ping Tai Chi- Guangping Tai Chi Chuan clearly Guangping Tai Chi Chuan clearly

illustrates the historical and lineage link between the Chen illustrates the historical and lineage link between the Chen Family and the Yang Family Taijiquan. The form incorporates a Family and the Yang Family Taijiquan. The form incorporates a solid differentiation between yin and yang, as well as a number solid differentiation between yin and yang, as well as a number of well-defined silk drawing movements.of well-defined silk drawing movements.

8 Diamond Form Tai Chi Chuan (8 Energies)-8 Diamond Form Tai Chi Chuan (8 Energies)- 8 Diamond 8 Diamond Form Tai Chi Chuan Form is based on the foundations of Form Tai Chi Chuan Form is based on the foundations of the eight key energies: peng, lu, ji, an, leigh, tsai, kao, the eight key energies: peng, lu, ji, an, leigh, tsai, kao, zhao. These energies are fundamental to the practice zhao. These energies are fundamental to the practice and development of any Tai Chi Chuan Form and any Tai and development of any Tai Chi Chuan Form and any Tai Chi Chuan practitioner. This form is short and accessible Chi Chuan practitioner. This form is short and accessible with a wealth of depth and knowledge to be found in its with a wealth of depth and knowledge to be found in its simplicity, all the principals and concepts that underpin simplicity, all the principals and concepts that underpin all Tai Chi Chuan and internal martial arts. all Tai Chi Chuan and internal martial arts.

HistoryHistory The term Tai Chi has been in the The term Tai Chi has been in the

Chinese language for a very long Chinese language for a very long time. It is used in philosophy, time. It is used in philosophy, religion, literature, art, medicine religion, literature, art, medicine and even astronomy. Now when and even astronomy. Now when we think of Tai Chi, we relate it we think of Tai Chi, we relate it to Tai Chi the martial art. to Tai Chi the martial art. A great deal of effort was spent A great deal of effort was spent on finding the origin of this on finding the origin of this ancient Chinese martial art. The ancient Chinese martial art. The problem with researching the problem with researching the history of Tai Chi is the lack of history of Tai Chi is the lack of precise written records and the precise written records and the fact that CNN wasn't in China fact that CNN wasn't in China then! Many books talked about then! Many books talked about Tai Chi being invented by a Tai Chi being invented by a Taoist priest named Chang San Taoist priest named Chang San Feng and just as many books Feng and just as many books believed that Tai Chi was believed that Tai Chi was invented by one of the martial art invented by one of the martial art masters from the Chen village in masters from the Chen village in the mid 1600's.the mid 1600's.      

History cont.History cont.   It is not the purpose of It is not the purpose of

this web page to prove this web page to prove nor dispute the nor dispute the aforementioned theories, aforementioned theories, but to put them forth for but to put them forth for your own analysis. For your own analysis. For what it is worth, my what it is worth, my belief is that Tai Chi as a belief is that Tai Chi as a martial art has been martial art has been around for much longer around for much longer than 300 years and than 300 years and cannot be attributed to cannot be attributed to one individual. Through one individual. Through the cumulating of many the cumulating of many years of hard work by years of hard work by the masses, Tai Chi had the masses, Tai Chi had evolved. evolved.

StatisticsStatistics Use in the United StatesUse in the United States A 2007 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics and A 2007 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics and

the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) on Americans' use of CAM found that 1 percent of the (NCCAM) on Americans' use of CAM found that 1 percent of the more than 23,300 adults surveyed had used tai chi in the past 12 more than 23,300 adults surveyed had used tai chi in the past 12 months. Adjusted to nationally representative numbers, this months. Adjusted to nationally representative numbers, this means more than 2.3 million adults.means more than 2.3 million adults.

People practice tai chi for various health-related purposes, such People practice tai chi for various health-related purposes, such as:as:

For benefits associated with low-impact, weight-bearing, aerobic For benefits associated with low-impact, weight-bearing, aerobic exercise exercise

To improve physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, To improve physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility and flexibility

To improve balance and decrease the risk of falls, especially in To improve balance and decrease the risk of falls, especially in elderly people elderly people

To ease pain and stiffness—for example, from osteoarthritis To ease pain and stiffness—for example, from osteoarthritis To improve sleep To improve sleep For overall wellness.For overall wellness.

How do you start?How do you start?

Some people feel more comfortable Some people feel more comfortable with doing tai chi on their own with doing tai chi on their own because it is a sense of self being. because it is a sense of self being. Others like tai chi in a group Others like tai chi in a group because of a since of unity. It is because of a since of unity. It is always good to have an open mind in always good to have an open mind in while doing tai chi and also having a while doing tai chi and also having a good open space that makes one good open space that makes one calm.calm.

Important factors!Important factors! Throughout the form, the Throughout the form, the

body remains soft and body remains soft and relaxed, as if suspended relaxed, as if suspended from the top of the head and from the top of the head and the joints like a puppet. The the joints like a puppet. The mind is centered on each mind is centered on each movement, assessing the movement, assessing the alignment and correctness of alignment and correctness of the form, focusing on feeling the form, focusing on feeling the flow from substantial to the flow from substantial to insubstantial in each insubstantial in each movement, fending off movement, fending off distractions. Breathing is distractions. Breathing is through the nose, slow and through the nose, slow and even, inhaling during even, inhaling during contractions, exhaling contractions, exhaling during expansions of the during expansions of the form. form.

Be careful!!!Be careful!!! Side Effects and RisksSide Effects and Risks Tai chi is a relatively safe Tai chi is a relatively safe

practice. However, there are practice. However, there are some cautions:some cautions:

As with any exercise regimen, As with any exercise regimen, if you overdo practice, you may if you overdo practice, you may have sore muscles or sprains. have sore muscles or sprains.

Tai chi instructors often Tai chi instructors often recommend that you do not recommend that you do not practice tai chi right after a practice tai chi right after a meal, or when you are very meal, or when you are very tired, or if you have an active tired, or if you have an active infection. infection.

If you are pregnant, or if you If you are pregnant, or if you have a hernia, joint problems, have a hernia, joint problems, back pain, fractures, or severe back pain, fractures, or severe osteoporosis, your health care osteoporosis, your health care provider may advise you to provider may advise you to modify or avoid certain modify or avoid certain postures in tai chi.postures in tai chi.

Your turn!Your turn!

If you go to If you go to http://northcarolina.usa.taoist.org/schedule-nc.htm

There is more information about There is more information about going to Raleigh, North Carolina and going to Raleigh, North Carolina and participating in tai chi classes. participating in tai chi classes.

Works CitedWorks Cited http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Tai

chi/what.html Picture : http://www.dconadime.com/wp-Picture : http://www.dconadime.com/wp-

content/uploads/2009/05/tai-chi.gifcontent/uploads/2009/05/tai-chi.gif Picture : Picture :

http://www.visitreykjavik.is/Portaldata/1/Rhttp://www.visitreykjavik.is/Portaldata/1/Resources/events/taichi.jpgesources/events/taichi.jpg

http://www.taichiacademy.com/http://www.taichiacademy.com/abouttaichi.htmabouttaichi.htm

http://www.uktqf.co.uk/Tai-Chi/Types-of-http://www.uktqf.co.uk/Tai-Chi/Types-of-Tai-Chi/Types-of-Tai-Chi.htmlTai-Chi/Types-of-Tai-Chi.html

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/taichi/http://nccam.nih.gov/health/taichi/