Tai Chi Chuan
is believed to have been developed by a Taoist monk, Zhang San-Feng, who lived in China in
the 13th century. It all started with his keen observations of a fight between
a large bird and a small snake outside of his window. Each time the bird lunged at the
coiled snake, the snake yielded by twisting its body away from the bird's sharp beak. The
fight went on for some time but the snake was not harmed. Eventually exhausted, the bird
flew away in search of easier prey. Zhang San-Feng combined this soft, yielding ability of
the snake with the tough, physical strengthening of the Shaolin martial arts to develop
Tai Chi Chuan.
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese
martial art that is practiced throughout the world as an effective exercise for health.
Tai chi consists of fluid, gentle movements that are relaxed and slow in tempo. Also the
fact that Tai Chi can be practiced almost anywhere makes it a most suitable form of
exercise for just about anyone.
Health and exercise experts agree
that an exercise program should incorporate exercises that improve muscular strength,
flexibility, and aerobic fitness. Tai chi is a form of exercise that can improve all of
these fitness components, as well as having additional health benefits. Tai chi is
extremely effective in improving balance and posture, and mind-body health. More benefits
are listed below:
- Muscle strength is important
for supporting and protecting joints, which will assist in decreasing pain and deformity.
Muscle strength is also important for improving balance and the ability to perform every
day tasks
- Flexibility exercises help to
reduce pain and stiffness associated with musculoskeletal conditions. They also help
minimize joint deformity, and improve joint range of motion, which makes movement easier,
and more efficient.
- Aerobic fitness is important
for overall health and fitness of your heart, lungs, and muscles. Good aerobic fitness
will allow for more efficient and easier performance of every day tasks such as climbing
stairs or walking to the shops.
- Tai chi movements emphasize
the importance of weight transference, which is an essential component of good balance.
Having good balance is important for falls prevention. Tai chi also emphasizes correct
posture, which also has benefits for falls prevention, as well as decreased pain and
stiffness of joints and muscles.
- Your mind and body are
intricately linked, and the actions of one will impact on the other. Tai chi enhances both
mental and physical relaxation, which is important in decreasing pain and stiffness, as
well as assisting in healing the body. Tai chi also enhances clarity of the mind and
improves mood, which also has positive benefits for your body (e.g., a negative mood and
pain have been shown to be related).
- Tai chi facilitates the flow
of "qi" through your body. Qi is the life energy that circulates throughout the
body, performing many functions to maintain good health. Practicing tai chi helps to
strengthen your qi, therefore improving your health.