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Tai Chi Chuan
The Grand Ultimate
Tai Chi is not readily
thought of today as a
martial art, but the
truth is in the earlier
days it was the ultimate
martial art and very few
Tai Chi Masters were
ever defeated in battle.
Like many other Chinese
arts, the history of Tai
Chi Chuan is lost in
antiquity. We do know
though, however, that it
began as a Martial Art
with the same functions
as Karate and Kung-fu.
Tai Chi Chuan uses a
combination of hits,
kicks, throws and wrist
locks that are hidden
for the most part in the
graceful playing of the
forms. Several styles
have evolved over the
years, major styles
include Chen, Wu and
Yang the most popular
being Yang. Over the
years Tai Chi has been
cultivated for the
purpose to strengthen
and rebuild the body.
People of all ages and
health levels can
benefit from Tai Chi.
Also another form of
exercise that is
directly related to Tai
Chi is Qi gong. Qi gong
can be referred to as
basic Tai Chi with
easier to understand
forms and movements
while Tai Chi movements
may seem more
complicated, they are
not. Tai Chi movements
are usually performed
slowly while Qi gong
movements are a bit
faster.
Often called "moving
meditation", tai chi
began as a martial art
in China about 2000
years ago. Over the past
century tai chi has
become increasingly
popular as an exercise
for older adults and is
practiced by millions of
Chinese each morning in
parks across the United
States.
Tai Chi movements are
usually slow and
graceful but have proved
to have a definitive
effect on blood
pressure, hypertension,
balance and general over
all well being. Regular
practice of tai chi
suggest that tai chi has
many benefits for
seniors, including
reduced risk of falling
and significant
improvement in quality
of life. In Chinese
medicine, tai chi is
used to relax the body
and let the chi (vital
energy) flow through out
the body. Physical
activity is considered
an essential component
of health by the
Chinese, who believe
that with out daily
movement the body's chi
can become stagnate,
which can lead to
illness. The Chinese
have demonstrated that
the rhythmic, flowing
movements of Tai Chi
have therapeutic effects
on the internal organs
and balance. The
existence of this life
force "chi" has never
been scientifically
proven by western
standards.
Martial Arts
can be broken down into
two types: External and
Internal. An example of
external would be Karate
and an example of
internal would be Tai
Chi. The external
martial arts develop
ones fighting skills and
strength. Everything is
directed toward
performance on the
external level. The
internal martial arts
focus on health,
physical education and
refine physical energy,
however internal martial
arts were developed from
external martial arts
and can be used in an
emergency to protect
ones self.
Tai Chi is not
as popular with younger
people because it is not
as flashy. Tai Chi is
for self improvement and
therefore is not for
exhibition, but for ones
self. External martial
arts also have soft
movements, but as
referred to earlier are
mainly practiced for
fighting and self
defense and have quick
forceful movements. Self
defense is an instinct
all animals possess and
a side effect of the
internal style. I have
heard it compared to a
walking stick, that you
automatically know how
to use if you have to.
While external
martial arts prepare one
to defend or conquer
others, internal martial
arts prepare one to
conquer ones self. If
you practice Karate,
Tang Soo Do or other
external martial arts
you should consider
exploring Tai Chi as a
way to improve yourself
and develop your
internal strength.
Practicing both styles
is good for you. I have
practiced Karate and
Tang Soo Do for 43,
years unfortunately I
was introduced to Tai
Chi only six years ago.
Unfortunate because I
did not learn of it
earlier, but I am
fortunate that I have
started practicing Tai
Chi and begun to
revitalize my body.
I have heard a
lot of Karate Masters
talk as if Tai Chi is a
waste of time and for
old people. I wonder if
they will practice it
when they get old. My
own personal rewards
from Tai Chi have been
an improvement in my
Karate techniques and
speed. My internal chi
or ki has developed
tremendously. I suppose
some martial artist
discredit Tai Chi
because they are
ignorant of its
benefits.
Do yourself a favor and
find out more about Tai
Chi to improve yourself
and your martial art.
Easy Tai Chi
Ken Bloom
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