15 minutes a day of Tai Chi is a passport to better health, fitness, peace of mind. As an alternative to passive meditation, this is a practice of a series of graceful movements performed in a slow, focused manner, complemented by deep breathing. It is a self-paced practice involving a gentle physical exercise and stretching as each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.
Tai chi means great energy a Chinese technique from the 12th century and it cultivates your life force through movement creating enhanced vitality with peace, tranquility, order and control. T’ai Chi promotes psychic balance, diminishes anxiety, increases focus and concentration, and generally supports an overall sense of psychological wellness. It promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements with low impact and minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels.
Benefits:
Moving and breathing
Graceful
Reduces stress
Muscle strengthen
Improved balance, flexibility and agility
Focus
Increased aerobic capacity
Increased energy and stamina
Enhance quality of sleep
Enhance the immune system
Lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure
Improve joint pain
Improve symptoms of congestive heart failure
Improve overall well-being in older adults
Reduce risk of falls in older adults
How to get started with tai chi
The physical techniques of t’ai chi ch’uan are described in the “T’ai chi classics”, a set of writings by traditional masters, as being characterized by the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination and relaxation, rather than muscular tension, in order to neutralize, yield, or initiate attacks. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning how that leverage is generated gently and measurably increases, opens the internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.).
Selected resources
Tai Chi Health www.taichihealth.com
Tai Chi Productions www.taichiforhealth.com
Tree of Life Tai Chi Center www.treeoflifetaichi.com
Books from Amazon:
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: 12 Weeks to a Healthy Body, Strong Heart, and Sharp Mind (Harvard Health Publications
BodyWisdom Media: Tai Chi for Beginners
Tai Chi Illustrated
Step-By-Step Tai Chi