Showing posts with label Tai Chi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tai Chi. Show all posts
Qi Gong for Everyone
Qi Gong is perhaps one of the most misunderstood of all New Age practices. First of all, few people know how to pronounce the name correctly (it’s Chee Kung). Secondly, few can decide whether it’s a martial art or a relaxation technique (it can be both). And thirdly, many people wrongly assume that it was banned in China (that’s Falun Gong, not Qi Gong).
Qi Gong is a series of breathing, relaxation and concentration exercises designed to bring the body’s energy, or qi, in harmony with itself, and restore balance. To an outsider, it’s a bit like yoga, Tai Chi and TM (transcendental meditation) rolled into one, and its basic philosophy is to teach people to harness and make best use of their qi, keeping it flowing freely throughout the body.
Proponents of Qi Gong say that anyone can benefit from it and improve their health, regardless of their background or expertise in the area.
“When this qi or energy stagnates or becomes out of balance we become sick. When it is in balance and flows freely we live healthy and happy lives,” Rich Marantz, founder of the Vermont-based Green Mountain Tai Chi, said in recent interview. “This can be illustrated with water. If you are walking through the woods and see a stagnant pond of water and a stream of quick flowing water, which would you drink from?”
Origins and Applications of Qi Gong
Researchers have supposedly traced Qi Gong back at least 5,000 years, although most followers say it goes back about 2,500. Although nobody knows exactly how it all began, supposedly it goes back to Shamanist practices in Chinese culture, and then evolved incorporating both Buddhist and Taoist applications used to treat and prevent illness and for use in the martial arts.
Qi Gong is normally practiced in health clubs and fitness centers in the US, where adherents think about their breathing, concentration and focus points as they carry out a series of slow, careful and controlled movements. They focus a lot on the flow of the qi throughout their bodies, and in some cases they concentrate on specific areas that need healing.
Around the world there are currently thousands of forms of Qi Gong which are in practice, with each school having its own distinct style. Saying that, it has four major areas of concentration, or application, including:
Healing. Basically, this relates to stress. Proponents of Chinese medicine believe that keeping our stress levels down is instrumental on controlling certain medical and other conditions, such as high blood pressure, insomnia and anxiety. Qi Gong is believed to help relieve that by boosting the immune system in the body and helping the body to heal itself.
External Healing. A bit like the above, but with other complementary therapies often added, such as osteopathy and acupuncture. The idea is that followers of Qi Gong can tap into the energy that is abundant in nature and funnel it through their bodies, thus letting helping properties wash over them, and in effect cleanse them. However, the healing is a bit like Reiki – it is performed away from the body and is not a hands-on technique, leaving it open to skepticism.
Sports. Fairly obvious as it involves using the techniques developed and perfected through practicing Qi Gong in other areas of sport. Martial arts in general can help improve stamina, coordination, balance, flexibility etc – this can all be applied to different sports from golf to tennis to ping pong.
Spiritual. Using ideas in Qi Gong which have evolved through the practice of Taoism and Buddhism, spiritual Qi Gong puts us in harmony with nature and also helps us become more calm, less stressed and more self-aware. It is thought to not only help people get in touch with a divine presence but can also help them get in touch with themselves.
Please be aware that Qi Gong is also applied to other areas as well, such as art and business. It is especially useful, at least in theory, for what is known as “hurry sickness” – as followers believe that it can help turn back the clock on heart disease associated with this, as well as aging in general.
Author Description :
Sarah Matthews is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a Beauty Salon or more Personal Care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Qi Gong for Everyone
Qi Gong for Everyone
Qi Gong is perhaps one of the most misunderstood of all New Age practices. First of all, few people know how to pronounce the name correctly (it’s Chee Kung). Secondly, few can decide whether it’s a martial art or a relaxation technique (it can be both). And thirdly, many people wrongly assume that it was banned in China (that’s Falun Gong, not Qi Gong).
Qi Gong is a series of breathing, relaxation and concentration exercises designed to bring the body’s energy, or qi, in harmony with itself, and restore balance. To an outsider, it’s a bit like yoga, Tai Chi and TM (transcendental meditation) rolled into one, and its basic philosophy is to teach people to harness and make best use of their qi, keeping it flowing freely throughout the body.
Proponents of Qi Gong say that anyone can benefit from it and improve their health, regardless of their background or expertise in the area.
“When this qi or energy stagnates or becomes out of balance we become sick. When it is in balance and flows freely we live healthy and happy lives,” Rich Marantz, founder of the Vermont-based Green Mountain Tai Chi, said in recent interview. “This can be illustrated with water. If you are walking through the woods and see a stagnant pond of water and a stream of quick flowing water, which would you drink from?”
Origins and Applications of Qi Gong
Researchers have supposedly traced Qi Gong back at least 5,000 years, although most followers say it goes back about 2,500. Although nobody knows exactly how it all began, supposedly it goes back to Shamanist practices in Chinese culture, and then evolved incorporating both Buddhist and Taoist applications used to treat and prevent illness and for use in the martial arts.
Qi Gong is normally practiced in health clubs and fitness centers in the US, where adherents think about their breathing, concentration and focus points as they carry out a series of slow, careful and controlled movements. They focus a lot on the flow of the qi throughout their bodies, and in some cases they concentrate on specific areas that need healing.
Around the world there are currently thousands of forms of Qi Gong which are in practice, with each school having its own distinct style. Saying that, it has four major areas of concentration, or application, including:
Healing. Basically, this relates to stress. Proponents of Chinese medicine believe that keeping our stress levels down is instrumental on controlling certain medical and other conditions, such as high blood pressure, insomnia and anxiety. Qi Gong is believed to help relieve that by boosting the immune system in the body and helping the body to heal itself.
External Healing. A bit like the above, but with other complementary therapies often added, such as osteopathy and acupuncture. The idea is that followers of Qi Gong can tap into the energy that is abundant in nature and funnel it through their bodies, thus letting helping properties wash over them, and in effect cleanse them. However, the healing is a bit like Reiki – it is performed away from the body and is not a hands-on technique, leaving it open to skepticism.
Sports. Fairly obvious as it involves using the techniques developed and perfected through practicing Qi Gong in other areas of sport. Martial arts in general can help improve stamina, coordination, balance, flexibility etc – this can all be applied to different sports from golf to tennis to ping pong.
Spiritual. Using ideas in Qi Gong which have evolved through the practice of Taoism and Buddhism, spiritual Qi Gong puts us in harmony with nature and also helps us become more calm, less stressed and more self-aware. It is thought to not only help people get in touch with a divine presence but can also help them get in touch with themselves.
Please be aware that Qi Gong is also applied to other areas as well, such as art and business. It is especially useful, at least in theory, for what is known as “hurry sickness” – as followers believe that it can help turn back the clock on heart disease associated with this, as well as aging in general.
Author Description :
Sarah Matthews is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a Beauty Salon or more Personal Care articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Qi Gong for Everyone
Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong
Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong by definition refers to Tai Chi energy work. In this post I will try to shed some light on what is meant by the Chi Kung / Qi Gong energy work aspect of the practice?
Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong is often taught as a set of moves separate from the Tai Chi sets. I have found that the vast majority of the time these other moves do not come with much of an explanation of why and how they are any different from the Tai Chi in the Tai Chi sets and that the moves by themselves do not impart any kind of ability different than what is already available in the Tai Chi sets.
So, what is Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong? First of all the Tai Chi moves are just Tai Chi choreography or moves until you begin to actually to practice the energetic aspects of the art. The real practice of Tai Chi is Chi Kung / Qi Gong. As soon as you start practicing the energetic aspects the Tai Chi so to speak then you are really practicing Tai Chi (probably with the moves) and not just the moves. At that same moment you are now practicing and or applying the Chi Kung / Qi Gong.
An obvious question at this point might be so what makes Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong? That is a very big question because the answer could and does fill books. I will try to shed some light on it here.
First of all in Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong are the physical structural alignments which are a necessity for the proper flow of energy through and around the body including through the acupuncture meridians of the body. This is part of the reason that so much emphasis gets put on the moves at the beginning of a students training and why it stays an important issue in training as one progresses. Incorrect and bad posture impedes and blocks energy flow so it is important to get it right. While you are learning and working on this you are not really performing Tai Chi yet but are simply learning something you need to understand to perform real Tai Chi.
One of the first things you learn in Tai Chi and that is a necessity in Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong is known as Sung which translates as relaxation both inside and out. Any tension in the body will impede or stop the flow of energy through the body. This can be structural tension (bad or improper positioning), physical tension (like holding tension in your shoulders or neck simply because you do not allow them to relax) or mental or emotional tension that is manifested in the body such as jaws clenched and a tight face when someone is having a bad day.
So, for proper Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong you first need Sung relaxation and proper posture. Once you have these you can really perform Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong.
The next step in solo Tai Chi practice is all Tai Chi Chi Kung / Qi Gong. You begin to work different aspects of energy within your Tai Chi both for fighting and for self defense purposes. There are approximately 36 different primary expressions of energy in Tai Chi. You use your mind to direct the internal movement and chi into an expression. That expression is known as Jing. Jing is an expression of Chi or energy hence it is energy work. A few jing expressions are well known and some are quite obscure.
to be continued...
Author Description :
for more on Tai Chi and Combat Tai Chi visit Richard Clear's Tai Chi Blog. www.ClearsTaiChi.com
Define TaiChi
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system, translated as the ‘Supreme Ultimate Force’. It is basically a physical exercise of slowly flowing movements that focuses the mind, while conditioning the body. It is said about it that one who practices Tai Chi for 20 minutes a day dissipates stress and reduces stress-related debilities, increases stamina, and strengthens the body and will.
Western sciences are also recognizing its health benefits. Number of Tai Chi classes and program has been set up in almost all-important cities of United States. To locate a class in your community, just contact your local senior center, YMCA or YWCA, health club or wellness center. In this program, you perform a defined series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner. Each movement or posture flows into the next without pausing. That is why it is also sometimes called as ‘meditation in motion’.
If a person is trying to improve his general health, he may find Tai Chi very helpful. It is generally safe for people of all ages and levels of fitness. This program is most likely to suit older peoples as compared to yoga or other physical exercises as the movements involved in this program are low impact and put minimal stress on your muscles and joints.
Tai chi is beneficial to both physical and mental health irrespective of your age. Below are some of its benefits:
* It reduces stress and gives you a peaceful mind
* It increases flexibility and improves muscle strength and definition
* It also increases energy, stamina and agility
* It increases the feelings of well-being
* It helps in reducing anxiety and depression
* It also helps in maintaining balance and coordination
* It improves sleep quality
* It slows down the bone loss in women following menopause
* It also helps in reducing high blood pressure
* It improves cardiovascular fitness
* It relieves from chronic muscular pain
* It also improves the working of internal organs
* It helps in better breathing
* It results in more strength and stamina
* It also improves the ability to deal with difficult situations
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.
Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. Nick Mutt is an active writer on alternative health and has published many ebooks on natural health. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.
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Yoga, Tai Chi, And The State of Zen
Nowadays, people are so conscious about their health and body figure. Many people regularly visit the gym for weight training, cardiovascular exercise, or to simply have friends who share their passion for fitness. Many fitness gyms offer the latest in weight and cardio-machines. Others specialize in special fitness programs or routines like Pilates, Tae-Bo, Belly Dancing, Hip-Hop Exercises, and even Pole Dancing.
But lately, Yoga and Tai Chi classes have been gaining popularity especially among women and above-40 fitness buffs. These Indian and Chinese methods of meditation and exercise are popular due to the health benefits experienced by those practice them. Many health buffs claim that they now enjoy a stress and anxiety-free lifestyle because of theirTai Chi and Yoga lessons.
Studies show that these kinds of exercise do have beneficial effects on the mind and body. These religious-philosophical movements gave emphasis to the state of Zen. According to Buddhism, the term “zen” refers to the attainment of a stage of “awakening.” This belief was introduced in China by a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma in A.D. 520. According to studies, people who cling to the teachings of Zen endeavor to achieve “satori” which is also called “nirvana”. “Satori” in general can only be reached through a meditation called “zazen” which, in turn, leads to a state of mushin or “no mind”. Mushin is the ability to see things more clearly mentally. It means that one's judgment will not be blurred with negative thoughts. Although this belief originated from the south, many Western students and practitioners ofYoga and Tai-Chi are satisfied with the health and vitality it brings.
Yoga benefits
Practicing yoga increases flexibility because stretching exercises the different tendons, ligaments, and joints of the body. Studies also say thatyoga is probably the only form of activity that massages all the internal organs and glands in the body. These may include the prostate, which according to medical specialists hardly receives stimulation. This massage or stimulation may keep certain individuals from diseases and other forms of illness.Yoga ensures the best supply of blood to the body. This helps detoxify the body of toxins and, in the process, delays aging and renewed energy. Muscles are also toned because of repeated stimulation throughyoga.
Tai Chi benefits
Medical researchers and Tai Chi practitioners claim that immediate benefits occur from day one of practice. These may include a more relaxed and clearer mind. Clinical studies in the US show that improved balance and peace of mind took place after only eight weeks of training. These benefits were immediately evident after performing very simple set of movements taken from differentTai Chi styles. Other benefits of this “soft” martial arts include improved internal organ functions, improved breathing, and better sleep. Additional reports show that people who practiceTai Chi enjoyed improved strength and reduced stress, aside from gaining the ability to better deal with anxiety attacks.
However, people with a history of heart disease, back injuries, and those who have undergone recent surgery should consult a physician before starting aYoga or Tai Chi routine. In general, Tai Chi and Yoga are very effective routines to bring back health and a sense of peace of mind to a devoted practioner. Done properly, these ancient arts of exercise and meditation can help provide anxiety relief and alleviate other forms of stress.
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Tai Chi Kung Fu - Some Authentic Facts
Tai chi chuan means Supreme Ultimate Fist or at a stretch, Grand Ultimate Boxing. Tai chi comprises of forms which consist of a number of postures which flow into one another.
When performed fast, tai chi looks just like a kung fu form or even resembles a "karate kata"
The kmain styles of tai chi are Chen, Wu, Yang Sun and Lee. There seems to be variable dispute between different authors and soruces as to which came first out of Wu, Chen and Lee.
Yang style tai chi is probably the most popular style and came from Chen style. Grandmaster Lu Chan Yang establishjed the old yng style which was altered and became the New Yang style by his grandson Yang Cheng Fu.
The yang family style of Tai chi chuan consists of 115 postures, some of which are repeated. The core postures can be learned by firstyl learning the Beijing 24 style which is not a porper tai hi form but came into existence in the last century.
The Chen style consists of slow and fast movements combined again it has an old and new form.
Other styles can be researched on the internet.
In tai chi there are important things one must do to get the most benefit and improve your tai chi. One is to relax the body. this does not mean "let go" as i the Western sense of relax. More it means relax the jpints and lossen the shoulders, especially relax the waist area - this efers to the internal aspects of the waist area which is the muscles which should control the movements in tai chi.
The second important thing is to "clear the mind" clear the mind of all extraeneous thoughts and motion so that it is clean and pure. This will put you in the meditative concentrating state for tai chi practice.
Practice every day and your tai chi and your health will improve, under the guidance of good instruction.
I think it is important that if you are thinking about tai chi to commit to learning it for the rest of your life, no matter what. This is required because tai chi takes more than one lifetime to master, so you will always have something to get better at.
My website has some good resources for instruction if you take the time to explore it and the recommended resources. Click HereThe new tai chi website I created is founding by clicking here: http://www.tai-chi-kung-fu.com
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The Tao of Da Vinci Code-Can Eastern Philosophy Contribute to the Da Vinci Code Controversy?
Mind/body sciences like yoga, and tai chi, and qigong (energy exercise), are designed to allow the flow of life energy to permeate the mind and body, and to create a "receptive/open state of mind in the practitioner," a passive alpha state of awareness. Qi, life energy in Traditional Chinese Medical science, is a subtle unseen power that emerges from the very fabric of the subatomic field that makes up all matter, and permeates all things including human beings. Acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, as well as physical exercises like Tai Chi & Qigong are designed to open the flow of life energy through the mind and body. Yoga and Ayurvedic practices are designed to do this as well.
In this field of life energy all things are connected, and therefore insights from this pure consciousness can be powerfully complex solutions that seem simple and elegant and obvious, once they come to mind. Yet offer more comprehensive communally beneficial solutions to challenges facing the practitioner cultivating this "field" awareness in themselves through these ancient practices. Tai Chi may help cultivate such intuitive, receptive states of mind if taught to that end. Tai Chi, incorporated with gentle deep breathing, and physical loosening, and mental images of constantly "letting go" of everything enables this unseen force of the universe to flow through us, emanating from every cell and atom of our being, and expanding effortlessly from each airy fold of the tissues of our mind. We can allow every atom of our being to glow with and be permeated by this energy of life as we move through the flowing motions of Tai Chi "without purpose," "without analysis," "without grades, or self judgments." But rather, only for the sheer pleasure of being, while experiencing the thousands of wonderful sensations tingling and percolating through the body. Tai Chi becomes an effortless "self massage" that flows through the yielding heart, mind, and body. This state is not "directed" by the mind, but allows the mind to let go and be massaged by the pleasant sensations flowing through it, holding on to nothing, not analyzing or even naming the sensations caressing, washing the mind as they flow through receptive awareness.
Today's current knee jerk reactions which get us individually into such trouble on crowded freeways, or in global trouble as a nation in an increasingly crowded world, have been cultivated over centuries of under-developing our feminine or yin consciousness. Our television pundits automatically react and narrow dialogue without even being conscious of it. In a three month period leading up to the Iraq war, Fair Media did a study of major news networks coverage of the impending conflict. They found a disturbing reality, that over 90% of the talking head guests on their news shows were already assuming there was a war to be fought, and discussing war strategy. Only less than 5% of the talking heads were opposed to, or even skeptical, about the idea of going to war. This hard charging into action, rather than "contemplating", is an example of the result of centuries of male energy being accepted and extolled, and yin or feminine energy being dismissed and considered "indecisive" and "weak minded."
The pool of "receptive" sensation that Tai Chi or other ancient transcendental technologies can bathe us in again and again, day after day, enables the subtle possibilities and gentle power of the yin and feminine to permeate our being and consciousness, and through that, affect our actions in the world. It can change the way we function, so that rather than charging into personal, or social, or national decisions, we instinctively "contemplate" and "intuit" all the possible outcomes of that action "BEFORE" taking that action. This could keep us out of costly wars, and reduce futile quests to find where on earth to dump thousands of tons of highly toxic nuclear waste that will be poisonous for tens of thousands of years. It may open us up to more subtle "yielding" approaches to international relations, that can get us the desired results through the subtle dance of negotiation which entails "listening" before "acting," which is a very yin or feminine quality. It may draw us more to "passive" energy solutions like "solar" or "wind" that could easily solve all our energy needs, and we would never need to fight anyone anywhere over the sun or the wind, which is available to all equally.
Transcendental mind/body technologies like Tai Chi, Yoga, transcendental meditation, Chi Kung, etc. can today be made available to billions of people worldwide at a time when the world desperately needs to learn to find a balance in the deepest part of our being, a balance that extols the subtle and quiet power of the feminine or yin aspect of who we are individually and as communities and nations. Tai Chi and Yoga, for example, are now taught in virtually every nation in the world, and can perhaps now contribute to solving humanity's hunger for balance between the "male" and "female," between the "yin" and the "yang."
Generations may look back and see that Tai Chi & Yoga teachers of today played a pivotal role in human history. Or perhaps the changes they are making in the world are so subtle and gentle, that they will never be recognized but nevertheless . . . will ease the world into its next wave of evolution enabling it to survive the weight of six billion plus inhabitants, without creating chaos through rash actions.
Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com
Bill Douglas is the founder of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, and author of the best selling tai chi book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi & Qigong" (Penguin Putnam), and presenter in the world acclaimed DVD instructional "Anthology of T'ai Chi & Qigong: The Prescription for the Future." Contact Bill, or learn more about World Tai Chi Day at www.worldtaichiday.org
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What are Tai chi swords and how to select the best Tai Chi Swords
The ancient Chinese martial arts weapons used for self defense and other related purposes included Knives, Bows and Arrows, Swords, Sickles and Shields and so on. These weapons were widely used to practice the most traditional art forms in ancient China. These art forms of ancient China also referred to as “Martial arts” are of different types. Over a period of time, few of these types of martial arts have evolved into different art forms. Contemporary wushu or modern wushu is one such sport that has been derived from ancient martial arts. This sport is however a recent version introduced in China to popularize the traditional martial arts. Another term that is commonly used with martial arts is Kung fu. According to Chinese, both Kung fu and Wushu have different meanings. The former arts form refers to an individual accomplishment or skill that is cultivated through intense practice and dedication over a period of time.
You cannot deal with ancient Chinese art forms without mentioning about Chinese swords. While there are different types of them, Tai chi swords have significance of their own and stand out from the rest on many counts. These swords have to be carefully dealt with and should be practiced with only after intensive training in Tai Chi. Only then the body will feel comfortable in handling them. While practicing with tai chi swords one should focus on the movement of the body. The mind should be as calm as a lotus pond. Meanwhile, the body should float gently like a boat. Like many other swords in its category, tai chi swords are available in different varieties like wooden tai chi swords, collapsible tai chi swords, Hsu series tai chi swords and so on. It’s hard to find these types of swords these days. There are many cheap imitations of these swords in the market. You can consider few tips given below to select the best ones out of a lot.
A genuine tai chi sword is very sharp at its edge and its double-edged blade can extend anywhere between 28 inches to 30 inches in length. It will have a width in the range of 1 inch to 2 inches. Its handle will be of 9 inches in length. A tai chi sword can be custom made for the user. The sword of its kind will have a hole at the end of hilt to enable attachment of sword knot or a tassel. The weight of these swords will be between 1.5 to 2 pounds. The handle provided at the top of guard provides enough space to enable proper grip for the fingers. The sword uses high quality of wood that matches with the ones used in home furniture. It is advisable to buy these types of swords from your local dealer. But make sure you check all these features before buying them. For the best quality Tai Chi swords visit, Swordwares.com.
BlueWaterArticles.com: - What are Tai chi swords and how to select the best Tai Chi Swords
About the Author
chinese swords is author of this article on wushu. Find more information about martial arts weapons here.
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How To Benefit To Your Health With Tai Chi
Tai Chi Chuan or Tai Chi for short is best known these days for its health benefits but its origin is as a form of martial art. This may be hard to reconcile with the gentle routines and dance like movements followed by its practitioners. It is an "Internal Martial art" - one that concentrates on building inner strength as opposed to demonstration of external brute force.
It operates on 4 levels - Physical, intellectual, spiritual and as a form of combat.
As a physical exercise the movements or forms involve a surprisingly large range of joint rotations and therefore promote flexibility and help improve metabolism, circulation and cardiovascular health.
On an intellectual level it involves relaxation and focus - awareness of your body, its posture, balance and co-ordination. It works on principles of qi (pronounced as chee). Qi assumes the existence of channels of bio energy - it is a life force that governs our being. This is by no means a concept unique to Tai Chi and is equivalent to the Yoga concept of "Prana".
Proponents of it believe that this life energy is transported throughout the body through 12 main meridians and 8 secondary meridians. As long as qi continues to flow uninterrupted through these invisible channels (meridians) the body remains strong and healthy. However, when passage of the qi is blocked by bad posture, inactivity, injury or other factors that's when problems set in.
You can see that there's practical value in learning more about tai chi. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?
Breathing techniques are an integral part of this process of distributing qi. Every movement involves collecting storing and distributing energy. Inhaling stores energy while exhaling delivers energy. Breathing is matched with appropriate movements. For instance when hands move apart in an opening movement or you step forward this is accompanied by inhalation and storing of energy while punching or when hands come together this coincides with exhalation and distribution of energy.
It teaches its students to breathe abdominally - to let the breath or qi sink to the "Tan Tien" i.e. the area below the navel. This gives the body a sense of strength and stability.
The spiritual aspect of it is also closely tied in with breathing techniques. A proficient practitioner of Tai Chi will no longer have to consciously control his breathing and match it with the movements of his body. Appropriate breathing will after some practice become second nature -a spiritual experience of communing with nature.
Hard as it may be to imagine, Tai Chi movements were intended as a means of combat and the movements or forms as they are called are geared to dislocate joints and cause internal bleeding in opponents. If Tai Chi were used as a dance routine then the benefits derived from it would be limited. To derive the maximum benefit from Tai Chi it should be approached as a martial art. Thereby deriving the attendant benefits of internal toughness and strength.
Although it is believed it was first practiced in China in the 1820's recent studies have shown that significant health benefits can still be derived from it. These include better balance and co-ordination (Of special importance to elderly people as this reduces falls and associated injuries), lowering of blood pressure and stress levels, strengthening of muscles and joints and improved cardiovascular health.
Given these benefits and its adaptability to suit many individual circumstances it obviously has much to offer the health conscious individual in the 21st century.
Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about these old techniques.
Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com
Michael Hehn writes articles about various topics. Find out what he has to say about yoga at Yoga
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Why You Need To Have The Proper Tai Chi Clothing
The need for proper clothing cannot be underestimated when practicing Tai Chi as the right fitting clothing is just as important as preparing yourself mentally. According to the experts the spiritual energy possessed by all human beings flows through every pore of the body and wearing tight and restrictive clothing can greatly reduce this energy flow. It is said that this is even more important for beginning practitioners of the art as these people are just learning to find and harness their energy.
The exercises in Tai Chi require a lot of movement and flexibility so clothing such as jeans and jackets are inhibiting and should not be worn. Clothing such as this will also make the wearer extremely uncomfortable while in meditation.
The best clothing for Tai Chi will be light, soft and flexible so that it doesn't inhibit movement and is also limber enough that it will allow the practitioner to easily hold the required postures. The suggested fabrics to use are cotton, silk, and linen. Pants made of linen are always a good choice because of its thermo-regulation properties and in contrast to silk is very durable and resistant to abrasion. With that said the old time traditional Tai Chi masters always wore silk due to it being so plentiful in China. Another good option for those who cannot get silk or linen is cotton which is cool and inexpensive.
As far as color goes, most Tai Chi clothing will be either Black or White or a combination of the two. Some schools will have colors that are specific to that particular school.
Some more casual Tai Chi schools do not necessitate uniforms be worn by their students and will use t-shirts or sweat shirts with the name of the school printed on them. In most cases the shirt is white and will have traditional Tai Chi symbols printed on it or it will be imprinted with the school's logo. In most cases the pants are left up to the student to choose.
The clothes don't make the man and this is also the case with Tai Chi, someone who is very skilled can practice the art in any clothing and in any environment. The point of this article is to show that the optimum choice is to have loose comfortable clothing, especially in the beginning when you are first learning.
BlueWaterArticles.com: - Why You Need To Have The Proper Tai Chi Clothing
About the Author
Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about fashion as well as name brand clothing at http://www.namebrandclothingstore.com
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Doing Tai Chi or Yoga to Ease Back Pain
| People with back problems face challenges of finding really efficient solutions to their problem. Most Western countries and their medical sciences rely mainly on anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers to relieve back pain. While many people look for alternative methods to relieve back pain. Thus, we will take a look at some other available options for strengthening back muscles while diminishing back pain. Physical exercises are worth while trying. However, due to the great variety of available options, one may have difficulties selecting the right form of exercise. Aerobics, for instance, may have too high impact for people with back problems, while isometrics are known for causing certain joint problems as well. Then there are calisthenics. One may find them good for muscle training. Though, you should be aware that calisthenics training has impact only on certain muscle groups, selectively. Keeping in mind the above mentioned information, what options are we left to? We can try out Tai Chi or Yoga. Even though Tai Chi is a kind of martial art, it is efficient in relieving back pain. It was designed for enhancing body's resilience, improving flexibility, keeping one's weight in check and helping out through the injury recovering process. One of the reasons why Tai Chi is so effective is that it is based on slow arm, leg and upper body movements. A person has to move slowly using deep breathing technique as the aid in the healing process. Another one of Tai Chi advantages is that people in pain or those who go through their recovery process, can still resort to it. Tai Chi does not overstress the body. Moreover, Tai Chi, through its exercises helps people to work on better posture. It is well known that proper posture goes along with the healthy back. Unlike Tai Chi, Yoga which takes its origins in Hindu teachings was designed to help people in restoring both their bodies and minds. Through Yoga exercises one may strengthen back muscles, improve posture and bring vertebral column into line. Yoga practitioners believe that through learning the ways of your body, in our case it is one's back, you may be able to gain a better understanding of your physical problems and find ways for fixing them before they give you more trouble. Each and every one of the numerous Yoga positions is designed for attaining specific results. They are meant for strengthening, stretching or diminishing tension in the back area. They can also increase the blood flow, which is very positive for muscles. Another benefit of resorting to Yoga exercises is that they help in stretching your spine. Stretching is taking the pressure off the vertebrae, alleviating the compression. Such exercises will greatly reduce the back pain. The affordability of Tai Chi and Yoga exercises makes them even more attractive. Both of these techniques are good for healing and recovering process and for sustaining your body's overall health shape. They are non-invasive and do not involve any medication or drug treatments. After your back pain is gone, either of them can remain useful for keeping up of your physical wellbeing. |
| Author Resource:- Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Back Pain . |
| Article From New Ezine Articles |
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Anti-Aging and Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an excellent form of exercise that offers many benefits for people seeking to look and stay younger.
It is a very powerful form of stress management and that in itself can have a positive effect on your youthful look as stress can change the choices we make in food and drinks and also cause wrinkles from frowning.
Tai Chi is a low impact form exercise and is suitable for older people. The exercises help to build strength in the muscles and that is very important as people age and lose muscles mass through a lack of use.
Tai Chi also helps people to become more balanced and to be steadier on their feet which reduce the chances of falls as people age.
Posture is another area that is improved through the exercises that are performed in Tai Chi and this helps people to look younger as the ability to stand tall rather than stooped as many older people become will give the impression of being somewhat younger.
The strength that you can build through the exercises will improve many areas of health and that will slow the aging process and improve the chances of living a longer life and having the ability to enjoy that life better.
Many Tai Chi instructors will adapt programs to suit the various age groups and levels of fitness and there are moves underway in many areas of the country to encourage more elderly people to start doing Tai Chi as it has been shown to improve the quality of life for elderly people.
It can also help to reduce the impact that old injuries can have on pain management and the enjoyment that can be lost when injuries affect sleep and other areas of aging.
The social interaction of joining in with others to do Tai Chi helps people to stay alert and coordinated and the positive attitude that this brings with it enhances their life keeping them younger for longer.
About the Author: Carson Danfield is an "Under the Radar" Internet Entrepreneur who's been quietly selling various products for the last 8 years. Although you've probably never heard of him there's a good chance you've visited his websites in the past and even purchased some of his products.
For lots more unique tips on the powerful form of stress management , visit the website http://info5000.com/ANTI-AGING/
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Tai Chi And The Elderly
Many studies have been conducted to assess the effects of Tai Chi on metabolism and cardiorespiratory response, mental control, prevention of falls in the elderly and immune capacity. The measures taken in these studies include metabolic rate, heart rate, ventilation, maximal oxygen uptake, blood pressure, immune capacity, and number of falls. The results show that Tai Chi can be classified as moderate exercise, because it does not demand more than 55% of maximal oxygen uptake. After comparing the results of studies, these experts suggest Tai Chi exercise is beneficial to cardiorespiratory function, immune capacity, mental control, flexibility, and balance control. It also helps to improve muscle strength, leading to a reduced risk of falls in the elderly.
As stated earlier, practicing martial arts can increase strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Inevitably, these physical properties dissipate with age. With decreasing physical ability, the elderly are susceptible to extreme injury and death due to falling. Falls are reported to be a leading cause of accidental death of the elderly.
While it is apparent that martial arts are good for health, it turns out they can also strengthen your immune system. We all know that the virus which leads to some sort of disease does not completely go away after recovery but remains dormant in nervous tissue. With age comes a weakened immune system. As one gets older, the virus is more likely to come back. Practicing Tai Chi can improve the immune system. Many studies suggest that the elderly individuals that take part in the Tai Chi program are more likely to resist the virus.
Proven benefits of Tai Chi training for the elderly include: increased strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and prevention of osteoporosis. Improvement in any of these areas leads to a decreased risk of harmful falls. Martial arts are a safe and effective way to protect against disease and reduce the negative effects of aging.
Click to find more about Tai Chi Training Guide
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Tai Chi Rejuvenates Immunity in Older Adults Against Shingles
Understanding Shingles
Shingles is a kind of viral infection that causes debilitating rashes that are quite painful. It appears as blisters that can be seen at the middle of the person’s back turning to one side of his chest and overwhelming the breastbone. Parts of your body like the scalp, neck and face are also affected. Shingles can be excruciatingly painful.
One way to identify the disease is to pinpoint where it all started because shingles usually originates at one side of the body. Shingles is a sort of long term “side-effect” of chickenpox. It is because after having chickenpox, the virus within the body becomes inactive. After years, it gets to be reactivated as shingles.
Shingles is not a life-threatening situation but can be severely painful and can lead to a complication in which the skin remains painful and is very sensitive to even to the softest touch. It remains at that state until all blisters are gone. This kind of condition lasts for months or worse, years.
Shingles is the common for adults over 50 that is why it is important the old people be protected from the virus or have in them the prescribed tool to fight the virus out of their lives. For those who have not been affected with the virus, but is susceptible to, better be more cautious and maintain the immune system on a healthy level.
What the public needs to know
Although vaccination can be an effective method to prevent acquiring shingles, it can only last long. But if the vaccination for shingles is combined with Tai Chi, the results are promising. Good news is, out of 5 persons who have undergone chickenpox, only one person will get shingles sometime in their 50s. Shingles will be very dangerous for older people.
Researchers and doctors said that, although more studies should be further enhanced, it is proven that Tai Chi combined with immunization was made effective as an intervention to prevent the increase of the painful condition. The positive effects of Tai Chi helped researchers determine that the height of response by the human body is incredible.
Study has it that Tai Chi alone can increase the patient’s immunity to the virus same with the outcome of ordinary vaccine. The moment Tai Chi is combined with the vaccine itself, it produced a significant result with a high level of immunity amounting to over 40%. Studies also show that compared to those that only acquired the vaccine, Tai Chi’s effects are doubled in the increase.
Aside from the increased level of immunity, Tai Chi also manifested remarkable outcome that include decrease in body pain, improved physical functioning, mental health and vitality. Groups who engaged in Tai Chi showed a decline in the symptoms of the disease’s severity.
Therefore, for those who are experiencing or knows someone who is at their golden years, it is better to advise them to engage in Tai Chi.
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Tai Chi Sword: A Connection Between the Human and the Weapon
At the beginning, Tai Chi will teach students the use of three weapons namely: tao (knife or broadsword), chien (straight sword), chang (spear or staff). Setting Tai Chi aside, these three are also used in different kinds of martial arts combat. It is used according to its range. Long-range weapons like the staff and spear are often used in the battlefield, while short-range weapons like the straight sword and broadsword are designed for a personal one-on-one combat.
The sword – a relatively light and small short-range weapon is considered as the king of combat because of its properties that can make your opponents run for their lives. Before, the sword is used as a symbol of power and is used for violence. Today, it’s a different story. People is now learning to handle the sword as a weapon used in exercises for the development of self-discipline in terms of mind and body connection.
The introduction of Tai Chi in the present society is a great medium where one can practice the usage of the sword. Some are attracted to learn because of the idea of how a weapon as deadly as this can be manipulated into one graceful and harmless act.
About the Sword
The chien or short sword has a length that is measured for about 3 ft. It is composed of a double-edged blade that has a range of 28 – 30 inches long and is about 1 – 2 inches wide. The handle is approximately 8 – 9 inches wherein a hole is found at the end of its hilt where a tassel or knot is commonly attached. The tip is sharpened and can make a person bleed in an instant.
In the traditional sense, the chien is crafted according to the user’s size, balance and comfort to the material. Today, there are wide varieties of swords that mass-produced in a non-functional and lighter sense that are used for practice and in competitions.
Before learning the sword, it is more advisable to learn the knife because of its simplicity and it is unlikely for the wielders to injure or cut themselves for the weapon only has one edge that’s sharp. Experts of Tai Chi give due respect to the sword and consider it as the weapon that only elite warriors and scholars can use. Unlike tao, which they considered as a soldier’s weapon.
Here are some points to remember when handling the sword:
1. Be familiar with the weapon at hand. Understand all possible aspects about it like its attacking parts.
2. Be one with the sword. Make it your best buddy. Practice it everyday like it was a long-time job.
3. Look at the sword as if it was a tool and not a display object that you can hang decoratively on the wall.
4. Whenever your in the presence of the sword, move with purpose and grace.
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Yang Tai Chi 2 Taiji Long Form 108
Visit http://www.taichihealthways.com for more videos of Master Jesse Tsao on Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun tai chi tyle and Tai Chi sword, broadsword, qigong (Chi gong)for internal energy healing, bio-energy, Shaolin and Wudang Kung-fu martial arts. Tai Chi Health Ways host annual workshop with the top masters. See photos or videos of Chen Zhenglei, Li Deyin, Zhu Tiancai, Chen Xiaowang, Dan Lee, Su Zifang, Abraham Liu ...Traditional Yang Style is the most popular Tai Chi routine today. Enjoy this preview, a part of Master Jesse Tsao's instructional DVD
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Tai Chi Master - www.taichic.com
These arts are performed by a Tai Chi Master.Learn how to do Taichi.
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Tai Chi - Yang Simplified 24 Gracefully Performed
This video, courtesy of http://taiji.de/, is an exceedingly graceful demonstration of the Yang Simplified 24, the most popular form of Tai Chi after its adoption by the Chinese State Committee of Sports in 1956.
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