| Feeling the weight of stress beating down on | | | | through the meridians (the invisible energy |
| you? Are you feeling "burned out" and | | | | channels). Its function is to regulate and maintain |
| experiencing anxiety attacks as a result of chronic | | | | the functions of the various bodily systems by |
| stress? Are you suffering from stress-related | | | | supplying the healing energy to the organs. The |
| ailments like hypertension, increased susceptibility | | | | movements (forms) of Tai-Chi remove any |
| to infections, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies | | | | impediments in the body allowing the Qi to flow |
| and the likes? | | | | freely. In this sense, internal balance is restored |
| Wondering how to cope up with the stressful | | | | and the body experiences less stress. |
| nature of modern living? Try Tai-Chi! | | | | How does Tai Chi benefit the body? |
| What is Tai Chi? | | | | A regular Tai Chi routine is known to produce |
| Along with yoga, Tai-Chi is one of the most | | | | favorable physical, emotional and psychological |
| recommended techniques in relieving stress. | | | | benefits. Specifically, the technique improves |
| Tai-Chi (or Tai Chi Chuan) can be described as a | | | | balance, muscular control and blood circulation, |
| low impact, self-paced, non-competitive series of | | | | increases flexibility and energy, improves focus |
| slow, flowing body movements or "forms". This | | | | and concentration, reduces stress and promotes |
| technique is primarily practiced today to calm the | | | | the general well-being of an individual. |
| mind, perk up the body and effectively trim down | | | | Studies found evidences that long-term practice |
| stress. It highlights the importance of acute | | | | of the technique is very much favorable for the |
| concentration, relaxation and the awareness of | | | | elderly since it reduces the risk of falls due to |
| the circulation of vital energy throughout the body | | | | improved balance control, flexibility and overall |
| to achieve the desired effects. | | | | cardiovascular health. Researches also found the |
| In Tai-Chi, there are about 13 to 108 different | | | | vital link between the regular practice of Tai Chi |
| movements or forms in a set depending on the | | | | and reduction in pain, stress and anxiety. Tai Chi |
| style being used. Each move or form gently | | | | was also shown to affect patients positively |
| increases and opens up the internal circulation and | | | | suffering from Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity |
| negates the constricting effects of stress in the | | | | Disorder (ADHD). |
| body. | | | | It is also encouraging to note that the gentle |
| Tai-Chi was originally practiced by martial arts | | | | moves of Tai Chi was proven to burn more |
| experts in China during the 13th century and | | | | calories than other high impact, strenuous |
| adheres by the principle of "softness defeating | | | | activities such as surfing and downhill skiing! |
| hardness". Being considered as a soft martial arts | | | | Along with the health benefits of Tai Chi is the |
| style, this technique is applied with the most | | | | internalization of a sense of happiness, |
| degree of softness in the musculature that can | | | | contentment and inner peace. Regular practitioners |
| be achieved as opposed to the hard martial art | | | | reported the ability to detach themselves from |
| styles which employs a certain degree of | | | | the pressures of everyday living, experience |
| hardness or tension in the muscles. | | | | unbelievable feeling of bliss and thrive in the here |
| The concept of "Qi" (pronounced "chee") governs | | | | and the now, never dwelling on the pains of the |
| Tai-Chi. In the Chinese tradition, Qi is a form of | | | | past nor worrying about the future. |
| bio-energy that moves all throughout the body | | | | |