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太极拳Tai Chi ( Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Ji Quan, Taiji )
Tai Chi is a traditional martial art and health-promoting exercise that originated in China 700 years ago. Zhang
Shan Feng was said to be the founder. In hundreds years Tai Chi has been modified a lot and developed into
many styles or schools, as well as current simplified form 24 Tai Chi(4-6 minutes to play) and
National/Asian competition Rutine form 42 Tai Chi(6-10 minutes). Both Form24 and Form42 were
developed by a group of sports specialty in National Sports Committee of China in late 1970s, and have been
most popular presently. Tai Chi is practiced by tens of millions of people every day, and provide a variety
of health benefits. Research has shown that tai chi and qigong not only help improve one's balance and muscle
tone, but that they may strengthen the immune system, restore flexibility and agility, increase a person’s
awareness of his or her surroundings, and lower stress and anxiety levels, and can help to prevent or
ameliorate the effects of debilitating conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Tai Chi was created based on the unification of Yin and Yang, stillness and movement, emptiness and
fullness, softness and hardness, retreating and advancing, gazing and looking, etc. While playing Tai Chi, your
movements, breaths and mind are highly related in harmony. Today, although the martial art aspect is still
applicable, Tai Chi is practiced mainly for preventive and therapeutic purposes, to keep fit and prolong life.
Tai Chi is receiving great attention from people around the world in regards to its healing effects on the body
and mind.
Tai Chi has a very close relationship with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. Both them share
same philosophy that things are made of Yin and Yang. For example, human are made of female (Yin) and
male (Yang); legs are Yin, arms are Yang; chest is Yin, back is Yang; inside is Yin, outside is Yang; Earth is
Yin, Sky is Yang. The philosophy considers that the physical body, the universe, the four seasons, and
everything under heaven and earth are closely related. The relationship between the internal organs, meridians,
the spirit, and the physical form are mutually related and function in unison with the entire body.
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Why chose Tai Chi as a regular exercise?
1. Tai Chi works for any people from young to old, from weak to strong, mainly for preventive and
therapeutic purposes, to keep fit (especially for internal organs), make strong and prolong life. The benefits
have been confirmed by 700 years history.
2. While playing Tai Chi, your movements, breaths and mind are highly related in harmony. This is
distinguished character of Tai Chi.
3. No over-stretched joints or over-repeated movements, no sports injury that frequently happened in many
kinds of sports. Tai Chi is a kind of gentle, slow exercise that were reported very good for heart and vessel
system. You can chose and play Tai Chi even you feel very weak, or is recovering from some severe diseases.
Benefits from Tai Chi
stress reduction, better focus and concentration, increased flexibility, improved strength, enhanced immune
system, better energy balance, improved memory, improved circulation, increased coordination, some healing
effects, and prolong life, et al.
Tai Chi has three major components—movement, meditation, and deep breathing.
Movement -- all the major muscle groups and joints are needed for the slow, gentle movements in tai chi. Tai
chi improves balance, agility, strength, flexibility, stamina, muscle tone, and coordination. This low-impact,
weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and can slow bone loss, thus preventing the development of
osteoporosis.
Meditation -- research shows that meditation soothes the mind, enhances concentration, reduces anxiety, and
lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
Deep breathing -- exhaling stale air and toxins from the lungs while inhaling a plentitude of fresh air increases
lung capacity, stretches the muscles involved in breathing, and releases tension. It also enhances blood
circulation to the brain, which boosts mental alertness. At the same time, the entire body is supplied with
fresh oxygen and nutrients.
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Currently, Tai Chi classes are not available in Gentle Acupuncture. But we are happy to link you to some
local classes:
(603) 247-3349
http://www.massage-wise.com/Tai_Chi.html,
603-893-2646
Salem Senior Center
Pelham Senior Center
Tai Chi
