Many
studies have been carried out on Tai Chi as a health art. It is well
known for its ability to lower blood pressure, ease arthritis, relieve
back pain, address digestive problems and alleviate breathing
difficulties in asthma sufferers. The practice of Tai Chi also helps to
rehabilitate stroke victims, improve balance, change attitudes and
increase our general awareness.
Imbalance, brought about by poor diet, lack of exercise and poor
postural alignment, leads to sickness. Too much thinking, poor postural
alignment, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, lack of awareness of
our emotional states, etc., also have a detrimental effect on our health
and well being. Tai Chi’s slow, circular movements with awareness
enable our mind and body to find its balance.
Tai Chi
is an art based on ancient healing and martial practices which are
heavily influenced by Chinese philosophy, such as Yin Yang. Yin
represents softness, calmness, gentleness, etc., while Yang represents
hardness, strength, brightness, etc. Tai Chi consists of movements
which flow from one to the next. This comes about through the interplay
of the opposite forces of Yin Yang which are always changing. Tai Chi
represents great harmony and balance.
In Tai
Chi classes, you are introduced to principles and practices which help
you to understand and relax your mind and body. Relaxation (fa soong)
is one of the keys to good health. It also paves the way to knowing
yourself, enabling you to simply relax and be.
We
begin with relaxing the body, releasing tension in the various muscle
groups. We learn to understand good posture, such as spine straight and
shoulders relaxed, and to use the legs and waist to move the body as one
unit. As we follow these principles, we accumulate less stress in the
body.
Gradually, we see the tension we hold within the mind. We relax away
this mental tension through Fa Soong Gong, Qigong or the Tai Chi form.
People who study or perform work that involves mental energy, usually
have an excess of energy concentrated in their heads. The above
practices can redistribute this energy and rebalance the mind and body.
Once
the mind is calm, the tension held deep within the body in the
connective tissues and organs can then be released. Gradually, we
become more aware of the emotional causes that create an imbalance in
energy, leaving us feeling overwhelmed or fatigued. The various
practices cleanse and purify our energy. In Taoist terms, this is
called Returning to the Source. It is believed that as an innocent
child, our energy is pure and uninhibited. It is in harmony with
nature.
Tai Chi
trains us to become more aware of the body. This in turn trains the
mind, enhancing its sharpness and clarity. Gradually, we find ourselves
naturally applying the Tai Chi principles in everyday life. We learn to
be more gentle and patient with ourselves and others. We cultivate a
healthy respect for our efforts in practising Tai Chi as a part of our
daily lives. Tai Chi helps us to see the beauty of life and the
importance of maintaining a balance between the human and the
environment, family and friends, work and leisure, and between the
spiritual or inner dimension and the material world.
When
you are delayed in traffic or caught in a disagreement, you may find
yourself thinking, saying or behaving in an inappropriate manner. Take
this opportunity to focus on your breathing and evoke compassion for
yourself and others. Use the moment to train your mind in its ability
to handle difficulties. With awareness, you will develop a mind that is
strengthened, instead of weakened, by hardships.
Emotionally, we become more mature beings. We are willing to accept
responsibility for our weaknesses, instead of holding others to blame.
Our thinking and actions can create a life of beauty. We also realise
our happiness and health come from within. The tools of Tai Chi enable
us to better understand and respect ourselves so that we find peace and
contentment.
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