Tai Chi and Health
The health aspects come from the constant weight shifts train balance and body awareness, leading to confident ease of movement within the form and in everyday life. Tai Chi is a physical exercise that focuses the mind, while conditioning the body. Practicing twenty minutes a day dissipates stress and reduces stress-related debilities, increases stamina, and strengthens the body and will.
Western Science recognizes the following benefits of practicing Tai Chi:
- increased oxygen uptake and utilization (more efficient breathing),
- reduced blood pressure, slower declines in cardiovascular power,
- increased bone density, increased strength and range of motion of joints,
- greater leg strength, knee strength, and flexibility,
- reduced levels of stress hormones during and after practice,
- improved immune function,
- and heightened mood states.
It is practiced very slowly and is co-ordinated with the breath. It is very beautiful to watch and to perform. It is very moderate with no high kicks, awkward positions or movements – indeed all movements can be said to be natural and easy. It is the slowness of the form which creates the challenge and if practiced correctly, allows the chi to move freely throughout the body.
Practicing in a class is a good way to maintain a regular practice discipline and seeing how other people of different shapes, fitness, ability adapt the form to their own needs is a very enlightening experience. Being in a class also is a reminder that you are always a beginner and it is never too late to change your ways.
Sometimes you can add flourishes without realizing it and in a group practice session you can often observe these flourishes in others and recognizes them as mistakes or un-necessary additions. Retaining the purity of the form and yet adding your own stamp on it so that it becomes your own form is a challenge and a worthy ambition