Article Medically Reviewed By:
John Rivera
Instructor, Hawaii T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association Pukalani, Hawaii
Overview
What Is It?
Tai chi means "grand ultimate" and implies "the balance of opposing forces of nature." The traditional training is intended to teach awareness of one's own balance, both physical and mental.
A technique that integrates body, mind and spirit, tai chi (pronounced tie-chee ) has been practiced for centuries in China . Tai chi means "grand ultimate" and implies "the balance of opposing forces of nature." The traditional training is intended to teach awareness of one's own balance, both physical and mental.
Tai chi began as a martial art, but today it's most frequently practiced for its health benefits and meditative properties. It has become a popular exercise for millions of Chinese and is especially popular among older people.
Tai chi was introduced to the United States in the mid 1960s. Now it's hard to find an exercise center that doesn't offer classes. People all over the world practice tai chi every day.
In tai chi, you perform a series of slow, graceful, controlled body movements while your body remains straight and upright. It includes stepping, shifting weight and rotating. Throughout the session, your breathing becomes deep, yet relaxed. Tai chi movements have been compared to those performed in yoga and ballet.
Stories abound about the origins of tai chi. According to one of the most popular legends, tai chi's motions are based on those of a snake. A martial arts master named Sanfeng dreamed about a battle between a snake and a crane during which he noted the snake's graceful fighting movements. Those movements inspired the development of the noncombative style of tai chi.
Tai chi is a low-impact activity. One key principle (which comes from Taoism) is wu-wei (or the action of nonaction), which refers to going with the flow—not forcing things.
Like acupuncture, tai chi is based on the concept of chi (pronounced chee), the vital life energy that sustains health and calms the mind. Chi courses through your body through specific pathways or meridians. The traditional explanation is that the practice of tai chi improves health by improving the flow of chi, thereby restoring energy balance.
Chi must flow freely for good health; blocked chi can lead to illness or disease. All forms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) aim to restore energy balance and conserve the body's chi or life vitality. This health system includes the practices of acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine and tai chi's sister healing art, qigong (pronounced chee gong ).
Modern researchers are finding amazing health benefits from tai chi. Regular practice builds strength, enhances muscle tone and circulation and improves balance, flexibility, posture, coordination and range of motion. Some studies also show that tai chi can lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as ease arthritis pain. It can al...
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