Tai Chi Review in the Regional Traditions Guide

The medicinal culture of China has transcended the centuries, and it is today, an spiritual and physical alternative healing, for the western world

What does Tai Chi consist of?
The experts describe Tai Chi as “a door to new horizons.” To understand its significance, it is necessary to mention that Tai Chi was born as a Chinese martial art, around the eighteenth century. In spite of that, it should not be confused with a combative sport, as its technique is much more profound and enriching, spiritually speaking.
Tai Chi, wants to say maximum and extreme, such as, in the eastern culture, is known as the ying and the yang. Opposites. Black and white. High and low. This philosophy tries to explain that everything in life has an opposite. Applied in movements of the body, the tension gives way to relaxation and then vice versa.

The basic practice of Tai Chi is focused in the apprenticeship of a long series of body exercises, codified to perfection. These movements are performed in a very smooth and harmonious manner, with the purpose of finding a special connection from the mental and physical aspects of the human being.

When you take a session of Tai Chi, aside from the stretching and contraction of the body, you realize circular movements, with certain diagonal components and of rotation, coordinated with breathing. The result carries to the utilization of many muscles; none of them more developed then the other, in other words, it looks for a balance.
It is important to know that Tai Chi, like all martial arts, has the goal of personal defense and, due to the characteristics of its smooth movements, it is an excellent option for those who do not like burly sports or fast movements; because of age or disease.

Tai Chi can be practiced by children from six years old to seniors.

What are the benefits offered by Tai Chi?

• Tai Chi is a form of learning to relax facing daily problems, it is said, a technique that helps to tolerate and understand the agitated rhythm of live.
• When you practice this technique daily, the individual obtains total benefits in the body, it reduces tension accumulated in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Tai Chi provides energy and vigor to the body, obvious in the activities realized in daily living.
• It increases coordination, balance, flexibility, agility, and the general movement of the entire body.
• Tai Chi reduces hypertension.
• It also helps eliminate the pains provoked by migraines.
• Improves the mental state, eliminating depression.
• Tai Chi is an excellent way to have more concentration in daily live.

If you make the decision to begin with this enriching technique or philosophy, as many call it, begin like all those who have taken a class: standing up, place your legs together with your arms at your sides, focuse on a central point on the wall and breathe slowly and deeply. Definitely, you are ready to attend a session and discover all the benefits that the Tai Chi, a gentle, non-violent, but beautiful and aesthetic exercise, can bring to your life.