Tai Chi
What is tai chi? (Lohan Tai Chi Brochure)
Tai Chi Ch’uan is a Taoist internal martial art whose origin is veiled in esoterica. One account of the history credits its development of the Taoist immortal Chang San-Feng, who is said to have drawn the inspiration for the art by watching a fight between an elusive snake and an aggressive eagle. Chang San-Feng was a master of Shaolin Kung Fu who reached an extraordinary level of cultivation through Taoist internal practices. Another account is that it was developed by many different Kung Fu masters over a long period of time; as a synthesis of internal meditation and martial technique. The written history of Tai Chi Ch’uan goes back about 300 years and it was not until the turn of the 20th century that it was introduced to the general public.
The Tai Chi form is a series of slow moving exercises, performed smoothly and accurately, with the muscles as relaxed as possible, and the mind absorbed in each movement.At this time, over one hundred million people practice Tai Chi Ch’uan on a regular basis and consider it to be an integral part of their every day lives, giving robust good health, a calm stress free mind and a flexible body. Tai Chi is not designed to promote muscle size or enhance physical endurance. It is used to stimulate the internal organs gently, exercise the body, calm the nervous system and mobilize the joints. With consistent correct practice, the Tai Chi form leaves you warm, relaxed and gently stimulated. In time the mind has a stillness and clarity rarely experienced with other forms of exercise. Calmness eventually pervades the whole body, leaving you less stressed and more refreshed at the end of the day. Clinical studies have shown that Tai Chi practice can lower blood pressure, reduce nervous tension, and benefit the immune, digestive, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.The Tai Chi form is but a part of the whole Tai Chi Ch’uan system. Tai Chi means “grand ultimate”, which refers to the original Taoist believe of the origins of existence. Ch’uan can be translated literally as “boxing”, or “fist”. Originally Tai Chi Ch’uan was a formidable martial art which was also beneficial to health. It is a martial art which embodies Taoist philosophy. In Tai Chi one uses a balance of yin techniques with yang techniques, a balance between yielding and attacking. accurately, with the muscls as relaxed as possible, and the mind absorbed in each movement.
Apart from the slow Tai Chi form, at a more advanced stage the students are introduced to the fast form. Relaxation an gentleness are still used, but at a higher speed. With this training the student acquires stamina and nimbleness to add to the calmness.
Pushing hands practice for two people increases sensitivity and the ability to cope with changing situations, as the partners perform pre-set movements. The vast array of martial arts techniques at the disposal of the Tai Chi student gives a lifetime of potential study in this most excellent self-defense system.
