Tai Chi is the movement of the universe. Nothingness created two things. They are called Yin and Yang. Yin (represents negative), and Yang (represents positive) are opposite forces, merging together to bring balance and harmony in nature. For example, Yin is woman, shadow, earth and water, etc. Yang is man, light, sky and fire, etc. Yang is in Yin, meantime Yin is in Yang. The Tai Chi symbol indicates this fact well. Tai Chi is the root of Yin-Yang theory, and it describes how these two energy flows well, not stay. It flows and changes every time.
Tai Chi is sometimes called “Moving Meditation”, which uses the principles of Yin and Yang. Practicing Tai Chi facilitates the flow of Qi (vital energy) through the body. The (Qi energy) movement is always flowing constantly and never stops, thus the body, the mind and breathing are harmonized as one. Tai Chi chuan (translated as “Supreme Ultimate Fist”) is an internal Chinese marital art which is based on Taoism. It emphasize on the mind leading the body.
2. The benefit of Tai Chi
When we were children, our bodies were loose and relaxed. Having a relaxed body, we are less prone to injuries. For example when a child falls down from high position, serious injuries can be avoided, as the child’s body is in a relaxed state.
When we get older, we get stressed about work, finance, study, family etc. This has made our brain release a negative energy, thus making our body feels stiff and fatigue. A tense body is highly prone to injuries and illness, and breaks down the Qi energy (balance and harmony) in your body and mind.
Practicing Tai Chi returns the balance and harmony in life, thus developing healthier, relaxing body and mind.
In addition, Tai Chi trains and strengthens “Tendon and Ligament” over time, not muscle. The human’s muscles are easy to train, but also easy to lose and become stiff. Tendon, on the other hand, is long lasting and flexible, like a rubber band. As you get older, you maintain a good body and health by training the tendon and ligament.
Practicing Tai Chi could:
• Improve heart blood vessel system, respiratory organ system, nerves, skeletal structure and muscle, internal secretion system, breathing & digesting function, blood circulation and metabolism;
• Strengthen tendon, ligaments, and increase bone density;
• Remove stress and make a relaxation;
• Clear mind and improve mental health;
• Build a stronger immune system and stamina;
• Prevent (Rheumatoid) Arthritic and restrain ageing;
• Reduce various organ troubles and headache;
• Prevent serious injuries by having a good balance.
3. For whom Tai Chi suitable?
- Elder people
- Women
- Patient
- People who want to improve their mind and body themselves
- People who want to train meditation
- People who want to explore internal martial arts in depth
Tai Chi 10 Key points
1. Head up
Straight your head up without tension. If you are nervous, your neck would be get stiff and your blood vessel can not flow well.
2. Relax the chest
Spread and relax your chest. Neither concave or convex. When you relax your chest, Qi goes down and it makes to use your spine. To use spine makes to avoid waste energy.
3. Relax the waist
The waist is the centre of human body. When your waist is relax, your legs would be stronger and would be stable. The force changing in Tai Chi is made from the waist.
4. Realize and devide the balance
The balance is very important in Tai Chi. If your balance is at right foot, your right leg is full and your left leg is empty. There are no waste energy and easy to switch direction when you make sure your balance.
5. Drop your shoulders and elbows.
Droping the shoulders is relaxing and putting it down. If your shoulders go up, Qi is also goes up, and your entire body force would be disappeared. If you lift your elbows, you can not drop down your shoulders as well. And then, your internal force would be cut.
6. Use your mind, not strength
We use mind force, not strength in Tai Chi. You need to relax your body as soft, and must not to use any other little waste energy.
7. Link your upper and bottom body
In Tai Chi, the root is leg and begin moving with feet. The waist is structure and the fingers are appearance. This means the legs, feet and hands have to move together at a time. When the feet move, then the waist moves, then the hands move, and eyes and mind move together. There are no restless mind when upper and bottom body is linked.
8. Combine the internal and external
The consciousness is main and the body follows the order. The spirit must be raised and the movement would be light and breezy.
9. Make flowing
Tai Chi must be flowed, not be cut. It makes not cut the Qi and movement like a long river.
10. Look for the silence during the movement
Tai Chi manages the movement with the inactivity. So the breathing is deep and long, and make your Qi stay at the core (abdomen). It means the movement is combined with inactivity.
Coming Soon Articles
- Key point for physical body structure
- Key point for mental structure
