Tai Chi : Tai Chi Exercises

The practice of Tai Chi combines flowing movement and breathing techniques with mental and spiritual awareness to bring about a workout that benefits the mind, body, and soul. If you are experiencing a lot of stress in your life, then you may benefit from joining a Tai Chi class in your local area, or even getting a book or video from the library and learning the movements on your own at home.

Tai Chi has two basic methods of practicing, “pushing hands,” which involves a pair of people, and going solo, known as “forms.” Tai Chi exercises aim to train the body to balance and adjust according to the external forces. Tai Chi exercises are taught at a nearby fitness centers and do not require any special clothing. It is recommended to wear loose fitting clothes that enable flexibility and free movement of the body parts. Exclusively made special shoes can be bought, or a comfortable walking shoe or a sneaker will serve the purpose.

In practicing Tai Chi movements on a daily basis, it is thought that Chi (or the life-energy that flows through you body) is enhanced. If Chi cannot flow to certain organs of the body, they become “malnourished,” resulting in illness. Tai Chi exercises supposedly open up the channels for Chi to flow properly throughout the body, thus maintaining health, vitality, and energy.

This graceful form of exercise has been known to help people regain strength, posture and balance. It can improve circulation while also bringing on a meditative state that assists in relaxation.

A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine (3-8-04) examined 47 previous studies on the health effects of Tai Chi, and found that Tai Chi showed positive effects on Respiratory and cardiovascular functioning; Blood pressure; Balance; Arthritis, flexibility and strength; Depression or mood; Immunity