Tai Chi for Natural Holistic Balance - Gain a Healthy Agile Body, a Relaxed and Focused Mind with a Deeply Peaceful Spirit

With its slow, graceful, seemingly effortless movements, t’ai chi is recognizable to almost everyone, but most people know very little about this ancient Chinese art and its many benefits. Tai chi (pronounced tie-chee) uses gentle, self-paced, flowing postures or movements to stimulate and energize the biological organs and natural inner meridian networks. This also spontaneously enhances one’s physical health and emotional well-being. It also effectively achieves a continuing reduction to the many levels of stress so many of us experience. Tai chi (also called taiji, tai-qi or t’ai chi chuan to mention but a few) was developed originally over 2000 years ago as a form of self-defense and has since also become, and also mainly used as a non-competitive, gentle, holistic exercise that is practiced by people of all ages around the world.

T’ai Chi Reduces Stress and Protects the Body and Mind from the Harmful Effects of Our Modern Hectic Life

Our bodies and our minds pay the price for the stressful, sedentary lifestyle that is today’s world. The effects of chronic stress on the body are many and can often bring serious medical illnesses: persistent fatigue, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system are just a few of the effects of unrelieved stress. T’ai chi is a creative, physical way to combat stress and its harmful effects; with t’ai chi, focused concentration on regular, slow, deep breathing and graceful, flowing movement will remove anxiety and tension and bring, instead, relaxation and serenity. Taiji also reduces stress levels in the body by promoting improved sleep patterns and providing relief from chronic pain.

Strengthen and Relax Your Body, Mind, and Spirit with T’ai Chi Chuan

The controlled, fluid sequences of taiji’s movements (or “forms”) use all of the body’s major muscle groups and benefit the tendons, joints, and spine, as well. Taiji increases the body’s strength, suppleness, and coordination; bone mass increases, and balance and posture improve. Energy and vitality are enhanced. The focused concentration that is fundamental to tai chi brings the body, mind, and spirit into harmony, increasing self-awareness and leading to peace of mind and positive moods. Considered a type of ‘meditation in movement,’ t’ai chi provides an opportunity for contemplation and a stilling of the mind for those who find more traditional forms of meditation and relaxation are not a good fit for them.

Taiji is Practiced to Restore, Maintain, and Improve Holistic Health

Taiji, when practiced regularly (at least 15 minutes, three times per week), will bring improved holistic health and quality of life. While not a substitute for standard therapies, tai-ji is practiced to treat and prevent a wide variety of health concerns, from arthritis to depression, digestive disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, heart disease, sleep disorders, respiratory ailments, headaches, and many others. This form of exercise benefits the entire physiology and restores good mental and physical functioning and health.

This Ancient Art is a Beneficial Form of Exercise for Any Age and Fitness Level

From older adults seeking to prevent falls by improving balance, to those with physical constraints that may prohibit other forms of activity, t’ai chi can be an ideal and effective therapy and exercise for people of all ages and abilities. Here are some reasons why:
• Taiji can be practiced anywhere at anytime – you need only a small space; comfortable, loose-fitting clothing; and flat-soled shoes.
• Risk of injury is low because the exercises are gentle, low impact, and adaptable to individual needs.
• Taiji is non-competitive and self-paced, but can be a group activity with plenty of social interaction, as well.
• T’ai qi, while appearing effortless, provides cardiovascular benefits comparable to a moderate- to high-impact aerobic workout and burns a significant number of calories.
• This form of exercise is a skill that can be learned at any age, practiced throughout one’s lifetime, and yet continue to be challenging and rewarding.
With over 100 possible positions that vary in pace and intensity, t’ai chi can be learned and practiced by both men and women at any age and fitness level, and each person can select suitable movement cycles upon which to focus and specialize.

Exploring the Mental, Spiritual, and Physical Benefits of This Form of Exercise

Thinking about trying t’ai chi? Consider a beginner’s DVD at home, so you can explore t’ai chi at your own pace in the comfort and privacy of your own living room.

Then, once you’ve experienced its benefits, you can pursue t’ai chi further by attending a class or moving to intermediate levels of instructional DVDs. While taiji is widely practiced, finding a quality home video in stores can be a challenge. Online, however, you will easily be able to find a high-quality, reasonably priced instructional DVD from a qualified, experienced instructor, such as one of the beginner t’ai chi DVDs at Gaiam. And remember, as with any new exercise routine, check with your medical practitioner before beginning, especially if you are pregnant, have a hernia, a history of injuries or a chronic health condition.

T’ai chi is a lifelong, rewarding, challenging skill that strengthens the harmony between the mind and the body. Through slow breathing and meditative, rhythmic movements, outside stressors and distractions will wane, leaving only a balanced, clearer mind, a deeply relaxed body, and a calmer spirit.