When people think of martial arts they typically imagine body contact with fighting, kicking, and punching. Not so with tai chi. Tai Chi Toronto offers a gentler martial art form that is done in a slow and meditative way. This ancient Chinese art form offers peace, relaxation, and inner calm and has been documented to be 2,500 years old. It comes from the practice of Qigong and has been used as a self-defense art by using ones inner energy to neutralize the enemy.
In traditional Chinese medicine human beings are miniature universes that interact with elements. These elements are wood, metal, fire, water, and earth. Meridians of energy run through the body, called Qi. When the body is healthy it has achieved balanced Qi that flows smoothly.
The discipline of Qigong, which is what tai chi evolved from, involves movement, breath, and the mind to create a naturally balanced flow of energy that can be used in self-defense, recreation, or work. Many forms have evolved, in fact there are more than 3,000, and there are five major traditions: medical, martial arts, Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist. The two major types are hard and soft. Tai chi is an example of soft qigong or inner qigong.
There are three popular styles of tai chi: yang, tai chi chih, and wu. Yang is the most difficult of the three, it has 24 simple movements and 100 traditional movements. The stance is wide with the knees bent. Tai chi chih has a high stance, 20 movements, and minimal weight transfer. Wu has 24 to 36 short form movements and 100 traditional movements with a narrow stance and slightly bent knees.
Some of the benefits are, as is believed in China, are prolonged life and delayed aging. It increases flexibility, strengthens tendons and muscles, and aids the the treatment of cancer, depression, skin diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease, but this has not been scientifically proven. A special study of tai chi has shown that there is some evidence that supports the positive effects on balance and falling, fitness, and health.
Some studies show that an hour a week can be beneficial, but there is not enough scientific research to show how much tai chi should be done to reap benefits. Most people who practice this art like to do so two or three times a week. To become proficient, one should dedicate themselves to the practice for at least a year.
The best type of clothing to wear when practicing should be something loose-fitting and comfortable. A simple t-shirt, leotards, tights, or sweatpants are perfect. You can work up a sweat, even though the movements are slow, so keep it simple and don't overdress.
For something completely different, try this style of martial art at Tai Chi Toronto. It is a centuries old practice in China that has been used to improve flexibility, aerobic capacity, balance, well-being, and muscular strength.
In traditional Chinese medicine human beings are miniature universes that interact with elements. These elements are wood, metal, fire, water, and earth. Meridians of energy run through the body, called Qi. When the body is healthy it has achieved balanced Qi that flows smoothly.
The discipline of Qigong, which is what tai chi evolved from, involves movement, breath, and the mind to create a naturally balanced flow of energy that can be used in self-defense, recreation, or work. Many forms have evolved, in fact there are more than 3,000, and there are five major traditions: medical, martial arts, Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist. The two major types are hard and soft. Tai chi is an example of soft qigong or inner qigong.
There are three popular styles of tai chi: yang, tai chi chih, and wu. Yang is the most difficult of the three, it has 24 simple movements and 100 traditional movements. The stance is wide with the knees bent. Tai chi chih has a high stance, 20 movements, and minimal weight transfer. Wu has 24 to 36 short form movements and 100 traditional movements with a narrow stance and slightly bent knees.
Some of the benefits are, as is believed in China, are prolonged life and delayed aging. It increases flexibility, strengthens tendons and muscles, and aids the the treatment of cancer, depression, skin diseases, digestive disorders, arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease, but this has not been scientifically proven. A special study of tai chi has shown that there is some evidence that supports the positive effects on balance and falling, fitness, and health.
Some studies show that an hour a week can be beneficial, but there is not enough scientific research to show how much tai chi should be done to reap benefits. Most people who practice this art like to do so two or three times a week. To become proficient, one should dedicate themselves to the practice for at least a year.
The best type of clothing to wear when practicing should be something loose-fitting and comfortable. A simple t-shirt, leotards, tights, or sweatpants are perfect. You can work up a sweat, even though the movements are slow, so keep it simple and don't overdress.
For something completely different, try this style of martial art at Tai Chi Toronto. It is a centuries old practice in China that has been used to improve flexibility, aerobic capacity, balance, well-being, and muscular strength.
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If you would like to know more about Tai Chi Toronto residents can click www.taichitoronto.ca. For helpful Tai Chi resources, come to the The Rising Sun School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan website at http://www.taichitoronto.ca today.
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