For many Chinese, the practice of Tai Chi or Tai Chi for decades is still a daily ritual, which is well-founded. Slow movements and careful exercise provide a wealth of health benefits, from calming the busy mind to relieving the daily stress of the body.
Tai Chi was originally used for self-defense and fighting, and is now mainly used for exercise and relaxation. It is usually associated with a circular, black and white yin and yang symbol, representing the Taoist philosophy of harmony between yin and yin [female and accept] and yang [male and active]. Through its elegant and organized movement, Tai Chi helps practitioners to achieve a balance between yin and yang in their bodies, thereby improving the flow of vital energy or life energy - which is considered by Chinese medicine to be vital to health.
The basic practice of Tai Chi is the performance of a series of actions, which together form a "form", each action has a name, such as Baohu Ghost Mountain, or "Bring the Tiger to the Mountain." Breathing and posture play a key role - the goal is to breathe slowly and deeply through the nose while keeping the back and head upright. This helps to induce the body to enter a state of tranquility, meditation, which is an antidote to stress, fatigue and overwork.
"In the practice of Taiji, the body balance has always been emphasized," said Rukai, a Taijiquan teacher at the Capital Institute of Physical Education. "When you experience a psychological problem, your body will show signs of this kind of stress. Practice Tai Chi will ease your inner tension and troubles."
Although the exact origin of Tai Chi is still unclear, its origins are often attributed to Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist monk from Wu San Temple. According to the records of the Ming Dynasty, he lived during 1391-1459. According to legend, Zhang once saw the struggle between snakes and cranes, and was impressed by the way snakes can escape their larger, more powerful opponents. Using his previous martial arts and Taoist breathing training, he continued to create a form of martial arts that echoes the balance of snakes, flexibility and speed.
From these simple beginnings more than five centuries ago, Tai Chi has evolved into a series of complex styles, from energetic to gentle. The two most famous todays are Chen and Yang's style; Chen adopts a more explosive and rigorous form, and Yang - the style that is commonly used today - is characterized by soft, unconstrained movements.
The most important thing is to find a quiet time and place to practice. The best time to practice a gentle form of Tai Chi is between 4 and 6 in the morning.
Orignal From: Tai Chi is still one of the healthiest martial arts forms in the world.
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