Other Benefits of Tai Chi

Tai Chi is best known as a way to achieve relaxation and tranquility; the swimming and weaving motions soothe tired and over-stimulated nerves and relax tense muscles. However, the practical applications of Tai Chi are immense. Some of the better known applications follow.

As a physical health system, Tai Chi will in time revolutionize the concept of body fitness exercise. The generally accepted theory of fitness exercise, especially in the Western world, that we should perform hard and vigorous physical exertion. This often results in painful injuries, permanent damage and uneven body development.

Tai Chi, on the other hand, utilizes the principles of non-exertion and internal energy exercises. It teaches the art of flowing movements and gentle relaxing exercises to gradually develop and strengthen the whole body evenly. This rejuvenates the body, and increases your resistance to disease and illness. It also keeps you physically fit, fluid and sensitive.

As a healing art, Tai Chi is widely used by the Chinese to alleviate or, in some cases, cure insomnia, arthritis, rheumatism, anemia, chronic indigestion, listlessness, mental strain, depression, and nervous breakdown.

On an artistic level, Tai Chi movements can be used to enhance a dancer, actor, or masseur’s flow and movements, whilst musicians use it for creativity and inspiration.

In the area of personal growth and development the benefits of Tai Chi are four fold: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Physically, Tai Chi exercises develop your body to its natural potential of health and fitness, coordination in movement, sensitivity and balance. Body control and self-discipline on the physical plane is the first step to growth and development.

Mentally, this ‘moving meditation’ art, through physical control and stability, creates a balanced mind capable of making rational decisions and taking responsibility. The mind is active, free and spontaneous. Tai Chi energy meditations stimulate and sharpen the mental faculties, and the mind-directed exercise increases sensitivity and awareness.

Emotionally, Tai Chi is a stabilizing force because of the good breathing, proper balance and positive mental state it demands and creates. The physical and mental exercise gives proper channeling to your emotional energy. Further, Tai Chi stimulates and releases ‘blocked’ energy and facilitates positive expression. Blocked energy results when muscles are tense and do not allow blood and energy to flow freely through them.

Spiritually, the philosophy of Yin-yang balance which is central to Tai Chi is at the core of all growth and development. The Balance of yin and yang, of positive and negative, calms and stabilizes the mind. This calmness will enable you to examine your life from a more positive and realistic viewpoint, and give you the will and the way to improve things.