| Practical philosophy, alternative medicine and martial art. These three definitions combined in one simple word: Tai Chi, a discipline that seeks equilibrium in the whole of a person’s being (body and mind) through gentle movements and proper breathing.
Examining Tai Chi’s roots would probably not be very fruitful. Students of this Oriental practice have traced its history back to the year 1314, when China was ruled by the Song dynasty. It seems that from then on, the ruling classes were instructed in the practice of this martial art, and over the years it has developed into what it is today.
While other martial arts emphasize strength, the main attribute in Tai Chi comes from inside the person. This is why some people classify it as a type of meditation in motion, and this description is supported by the smooth precision of its movements, all based on the circle which is the universal symbol for Tai Chi.
Learning and mastering the principles of Tai Chi takes dedication, study and patience. It is by no means easy, as it combines both technical and philosophical elements and we all know how complex Oriental philosophy can become. So we won’t be trying to teach you how to practice it here. However, we can provide you with enough information so you can make a start, beginning with the health benefits that it can deliver.
It would not be wrong to assure you that Tai Chi helps with both the physical and psychological well being of those who practice it. In the first place, the enormous amounts of concentration required provide training not just for the body but also for the brain cells. In other words, it “tones up the brain muscle.” The brain cells are what control the body’s other organs, and if they are in good shape, they send healthy messages. To this extent Tai Chi has a curative effect.
The slow and deliberate breathing, which is also part of Tai Chi, is also beneficial to the body. This practice requires that the greatest possible volume of air is inhaled and exhaled in each cycle of respiration, which in turn increases the change of pressure within the thorax. As a consequence, the circulation of the blood becomes freer and more effective, the oxygenation process is made more efficient, the condition of the heart is improved and this in turn has a preventive influence on heart disease. All of this just by breathing properly.
Turning to the mind, concentration and relaxation help control stress, which is one of the greatest evils of our time. They also help prevent the pathological side effects that stress produces.
Tai Chi’s third element – movement – also contributes to physical wellbeing. Reproducing movements that are so precise, slow and measured requires that all the muscles be completely relaxed, thereby driving out nervous tension. Tai Chi also involves continual rotation of the hips and waist. This rotation requires contraction of the muscles of the abdomen, which in turn has the effect of massaging the internal organs such as the spleen, the liver and the intestines.
And all this without even mentioning the beneficial effects that these controlled movements have on the spinal column, which is strengthened and made more flexible. So with Tai Chi we can say goodbye to lower back pain.
As you can see, this is one of the most complete Oriental practices in existence, through which practitioners can achieve the equilibrium that is so vital for good health. With this in mind we have to view Tai Chi not just as a therapy, but also as a way of life, starting with the balance between the body and the mind. If it has worked for the Chinese for so many generations, it must be worthwhile for us to include it as part of our own lifestyle. |
