Taijiquan (taiji) 太极拳 (太極拳)
(commonly known as "Tai Chi")
Martial art or healing fitness system?
Taijiquan (tai chi chuan) is practised by millions around the world as a means to better health, fitness, and well-being. What many do not know is that this relaxing and invigorating exercise is also practised by many as a martial art.Whether you are looking for an effective way to feel better, relax, and improve your fitness, or you eventually wish to learn the martial side of tai chi, then we have a program for you.
The exercises that form the core of taijiquan (tai chi) training are designed to improve health, strengthen mind, body, and spirit, and to develop the deep relaxation, awareness, and peace of mind that are essential to elite martial artists.
The qualities that are essential for high level martial arts are also valuable for everyone else. That is why Taijiquan (tai chi) is part of China’s national fitness program, and has become immensely popular throughout the world.
Tai Chi Chuan has become so popular that it has often been watered down and simplified to make it easier to teach to large masses of people. Today there are even many teachers don’t fully understand the true nature of the art. It is common for people today to see tai chi as nothing but a gentle exercise for old people. However, there are still many schools, like this one, endeavouring to teach the complete traditional art.
The many health benefits of taijiquan (tai chi) are a direct result of the search for an effective martial art. Taijiquan (tai chi) grew from an ancient bed of knowledge that included traditional medicine, qigong (Chinese yoga), northern Chinese martial arts, daoist philosophy, and the insights of several very dedicated and gifted people.
Health Benefits
The many health benefits of tai chi are now well documented:• Improves cardiovascular function
• Reduces blood pressure and cholesterol
• Improves balance and reduces falls
• Is safe for arthritis sufferers
• Improves symptoms of arthritis
• Slows the rate of Osteoporosis
• Reduces risks of injury
• Aids with asthma and other breathing problems
• Improves immune function
• Improves flexibility and strength
• Improves endurance
• Reverses symptoms of ageing
• Can aid in weight loss
• more...
Martial Art
The masters who created Tai Chi recognised the importance of having healthy and strong mind, body, and spirit. They also considered it self-evident that a martial artist should have a profound awareness of mind and body, and be skilled at constantly seeking peace and harmony in an inherently violent world. A martial artist must understand, not only the relationships between thoughts, emotions and physical movements; but also the ways that one’s own thoughts affect others. This deep level of awareness results in a deep and profound empathy and compassion for others, and also affects one’s own well-being.Athletic Performance
The nature of Tai Chi makes it possible to practise it every day, without the need for the longer recovery time necessary for other exercises and sports. Not only that, tai chi can aid in reducing the recovery time necessary for athletes of other sports.Tai Chi has been shown to improve athletic performance in marathon runners, triathletes, soccer players, martial artists, and other athletes.
A 15 - 20 minute session of tai chi can immediately increase a weight lifter's one rep maximum by up to 25 per cent!
Teams from hockey, rugby, football, and other sports are starting to incorporate tai chi principles to improve results.
"Sub 2:20 marathoners" are using tai chi principles to improve their times.