mercredi 17 avril 2013

Try Something Different At Tai Chi Toronto

By Camille Nicholson


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.

Tai chi evolved from the ancient martial art of Qigong. This martial art incorporates movement, the mind, and breath to create balance in the flow of energy which in turn can be used for work, recreation, or self-defense. There are more than 2,000 forms that have evolved and five main traditions which are Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, martial arts, and medical with soft and hard types. Soft qigong, or inner qigong, is what tai chi is.

There are three popular styles: tai chi chih, wu, and yang. The tai chi chih style incorporates 20 movements and uses a high stance with less weight transfer between the legs. The wu style includes 24 to 36 movements in the short form and 100 traditional form. It uses a narrow, high stance where the knees are not bent much. It is easier than the other two styles and great for improving balance. The yang style uses 24 movements in the simple form and 108 in the traditional form. The stance is wide and the knees are bent most of the time. This style is the most demanding.

The benefits of tai chi are a longer life and a delay in the aging process, according the Chinese belief. It has not been scientifically proven, but it is thought that this martial art can increase flexibility, strengthen tendons and muscles, and aid in the treatment of arthritis, digestive disorders, cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and skin diseases. In a special tai chi study, it was shown that there are benefits in fitness, balance and falling, 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.

Wear something that is loose and comfortable, the simpler the better. Avoid layers as this practice can work up a sweat even though it is a slow and meditative set of movements. One can simply wear their favorite pair of sweats, leotards, tights, and a t-shirt, whatever is in the closet will work fine. No special uniform is required for this martial art.

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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