There are many theories as to where and when Tai Chi originated but the most popular of these is that of Chang San-Feng. He was a Taoist priest around the Yuan dynasty 1279-1368 living at Mol-Don mountain and was practicing Chinese alchemy searching for the elixir of life when the Emperor of the time sent a messenger to ask Chang for his assistance in bringing law and order to the area. Somehow the messenger never arrived. But in a dream Chang dreamed that the preceding emperor had shown him the fist method. And so the story goes on to state that Chang left the mountain and killed over one hundred bandits who had been threatening the area. From then on it has been passed down from master to pupil, each pupil then developing and refining the forms until today we have many different forms of Tai Chi. The main ones today being Chen, Yang, Wu and Sun.
So what are the benefits of practicing Tai Chi?
If we look at good health on two levels; the mind and the body. We know that the mind influences the body and vice versa the body can influence the mind. We know that Psychosomatic illness (problems in the mind) cause such thing as ulcers, asthma, colitis just to name a few of the bad effects of the mind on the body. But a strong robust body always has a good effect on the mind. So when the mind and body are in harmony, good health results.
Tai Chi can be divided into several levels of training. The first level of training is done slowly, gently and softly. Then as you continue to progress the training can become more intense and vigorous. But for elderly people who are out of condition or suffering any illness such as heart conditions, arthritis or the like it is practiced at a level to suit the individual, and because Tai Chi is practiced slowly, softly and gently it has a splendid relaxation potential for people who suffer from hypertension, high blood pressure and any person who leads a tense life due to excessive pressure. Western science now recognises the following benefits of practicing Tai Chi:-
An increase in oxygen uptake and utilisation (more efficient breathing),
Slower decline in cardiovascular power.
Reduced blood pressure.
Increased bone density, Increased strength and range of motion of joints.
Greater leg strength, knee flexibility and strength.
Reduced levels of stress hormones during and after practice.
Improved immune function and heightened mood states.
Because of the constant shift of weight Tai Chi teaches balance and body awareness, leading to confident ease of movement in our everyday life. Proper Tai Chi practice places certain demands on the body: for example the sinking of the weight tells the legs to add more muscle and bone mass, and the deep abdominal breathing and turning of the body has a wringing out effect on the internal organs flushing blood out as they are compressed and allowing the blood flow back in when the movement compresses another part of the body which intern reduces stagnation in the various organ systems.
With most people, physical strength peaks in their mid twenties, modestly declines to the age of 50 and steeply thereafter. Studies show a loss of one-third of lower extremity strength by age 70. And we find that in advanced age, very few people are able to stand on one leg for more than a few seconds (I must admit I know of some young people who are unable to stand on one leg). As mentioned earlier, Tai Chi exercises all the major muscle groups and joints in a slow rhythmic way so premature decline need not be the case. Practicing Tai Chi regular for a period of twenty minutes a day and you will start to feel and see the benefits quite quickly. In America, studies have shown that people in their 70’s and 80’s can learn a simplified series of Tai Chi forms and benefit from it tremendously, resulting in a decrease in injurious falls as well as the other benefits mentioned earlier. So ask yourself the question:-
“If Tai Chi can do all this for elderly beginners, what can it do for someone who starts sooner and stays with it”?
That’s just the health benefits, what about the self defence side? My teacher always said when asked this question about self defence she would tell us:-
“There are three levels of Martial Arts.
The first is to be physically stronger than anyone else.
The second level is to be faster than anyone else.
But the highest level of all is to not be there in the first place.
So what of the self defence aspects of Tai Chi? Well that’s another story.
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