Tai Chi is best known as the form of exercise that has been popularised by
images of old Chinese people practising graceful flowing movements in
the park. These movements, now practised by old and young alike
throughout the world, are
an important part of Tai Chi systems.
Tai Chi originates from China where it developed as a
martial art incorporating the principles of subduing the hard with
the soft and adapting and sticking to the opponents
movements.
Modern academics place the origins of Tai Chi in the Chen
village in Henan province of mainland China about 350
years ago. The name Tai Chi was first applied in the late
eighteenth century when the relationship with the central Taoist
theories of the opposing and yet interdependent principles in nature
(Yin and Yang) were documented. Chen Style Tai Chi is
practised both for its health and exercise benefits and as an
effective method for self defence and can be seen as a series of
coordinated movements which flow smoothly and gracefully into each
other combined with Chi Gong breathing techniques. Chen Style Tai Chi is
both a complete martial system and a comprehensive form of exercise that promotes
fitness, coordination and relaxation.
When practising Tai Chi, the practitioner's
consciousness, breathing and actions are all closely connected. The
transfer and focus of the practitioners energy corresponds to the network of maridians joining the
acupuncture points used in traditional Chinese medicine. Tai Chi
exercises stimulate blood circulation and the inner organs, as well as
improving strength and muscle control. Tai Chi exercises help to improve
health, co-ordination and posture and will promote general fitness and
weight loss. Tai Chi stimulates the body and calms the mind, resulting
in a balanced outlook and an overall improved sense of well being.
Push-hands is a practice method of traditional Tai Chi martial
arts. Two students with their arms in contact practice twining and sticking actions to develop the sense of
touch, awareness and balance within the body. This is the training
method where Tai Chi movements connect with martial arts applications,
and develops the understanding of how small forces can defeat strong
physical power.
Tai Chi is suitable for people of all ages and levels of physical
fitness. The movements can be performed slowly and gently for health
benefits or faster and more powerfully for self defence
applications.
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