Deeply rooted in the same philosophy that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners use to diagnose patients, Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese mind-body practice that combines slow, gentle and continuous movements while maintaining both your breath and balance. To the average person in the U.S., these movements may appear to be nothing more than a coordinated dance routine, but those who practice Tai Chi know its benefits far outweigh those of an expressive performance.
Core Philosophy
In TCM, all phenomena in the universe can be categorized as either yin or yang. Together, they serve as a dynamic, interconnected cycle of change that is simultaneously responsible for maintaining equilibrium. The practice of Tai Chi is a physical embodiment of this yin-yang balance. At any point in time within the practice, one should not be fully contracted nor fully expanded, fully in motion nor fully still. This results in the continuous flow of soft and balanced movement that is needed for Tai Chi.
Styles
The five major traditional styles of tai chi are: Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun and Wu/Hao. The core principles remain the same across styles, but they vary in sequencing, pacing, stance, footwork, appearance, etc. Chen style, for example, is the oldest style and has the closest relationship with martial arts. Yang style is the most popular and regularly practiced due to the efficiency of its simplified 24-forms.
Health Benefits
While not as culturally popular in the West, Tai Chi is finding its way into fitness clubs and parks in the U.S. The activity is suitable for all ages and fitness levels given its slow pace and lack of resistance. Recent studies show that Tai Chi improves mobility, strength and proprioception*, while reducing stress levels and blood pressure. The Sun style is commonly recommended for reducing both arthritis and the risk of falls in elderly populations.
Chek out this basic one-minute Tai Chi demonstration.
*Proprioception is often called the body’s “sixth sense” – the subconscious ability to sense one’s own body position, movement and force in space. It relies on specialized sensory receptors in the muscles and joints to let you perform everyday activities, such as walking or typing without looking. (Source: WebMD)
