Angus Tai Chi Academy
Chinese Internal Arts for Health & Wellbeing
Tai Chi, also written Taiji, Taijiquan or T’ai Chi Ch’uan, is a
slow and gentleweight-bearing exercise taught as a sequence of
moves or postures. There are many styles and variations of Tai Chi
taught throughout the world, and our particular variation is based
on the Traditional Yang style 108-move set, modified by our late
Sifu, Master Moy Lin-Shin. Master Moy adapted the set by adding
more turning and stretching to open up the student’s joints and
massage the internal organs. Master Moy also borrowed from Taoist
internal arts, Lokhupbafa, XingYi and BaGua to modify the Tai Chi
set.
Though Tai Chi has its roots in martial arts, we emphasize the
health benefits of the art. Practiced diligently, and in a relaxed
manner, Tai Chi can increase the student’s circulation and
flexibility, leading to improved health and a feeling of greater
vitality.
TAI CHI: AN EXERCISE FOR HEALTH
Tai Chi provides a moderate aerobic workout for the entire body. It
is simple and great for all ages with many benefits.
Given our modern lifestyle, most of us have developed habits
that have led to discomfort or ill health, and as a result, we can
all benefit from Tai Chi. In particular, seniors have enjoyed the
highest level of benefit from practicing Tai Chi, but students of
all ages and abilities can benefit.
Tai Chi is a moving meditation, a series of circular movements with gentle, rhythmic stretching, turning and extending of the body and limbs. The moves are balanced stretches with no sudden or high-impact transfer of weight. Although these Tai Chi movements stimulate the spine to move more freely, the effect is to strengthen and exercise every part of the body.
The goal of Tai Chi is to return the body to a state of
youthful
functionality and develop a clear and
uncluttered mind.
Jess Goodman,
M.D.
With diligent, relaxed practice,
the moves in this form of Tai Chi open up all
the joints
of the body for the circulation of the blood, lymphatic fluid
and
energy (Qi) to pass through easily. With good
circulation, the body will heal and
rejuvenate itself naturally. The focus is on the flow and
utilization of
energy rather than fixed martial
applications.
However, there is always
an underlying martial art quality when Tai Chi is
practiced diligently for a
long
period. This quality can be felt in a stronger, more unified
body
structure.
Benefits to both body and mind
have been shown in numerous
studies.
Tai Chi had been found to help reverse the physical effects of
stress
on the body and restore harmony both physically
and mentally.
Physical Benefits:
- Increased flexibility - Improved balance
- Improved
immune
function - Enhanced motor coordination
- Reduction in pain and tension
-
Improved cardiovascular
function
- Better sleep patterns - Increased energy
Mental Benefits:
- Reduced stress and anxiety - Increased relaxation
- Better concentration and focus - Improved memory
- Enhanced sense of
well-being
As an exercise,
Tai Chi offers a huge variety of health benefits. It is practiced
in a weight-bearing position, which is important for bone strength,
and because it is actually an aerobic workout, it acts to improve
the whole cardiovascular system.
An added dimension
to this set of gentle movements is the stretching and balancing of
the body’s weight on different joints.
Tai Chi gradually produces
increased flexibility, strength and stability. It needs no special
equipment and can be done anywhere.
Judy Ben-Israel, Chiropractor
Angus Tai Chi Academy