What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the West today, can be thought of as a combination of a moving form of yoga and meditation. There are a number of forms (sometimes also called 'sets') which consist of a sequence of movements. Many of these movements are originally derived from the martial arts (and perhaps even more ancestrally than that, from the natural movements of animals and birds) although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.

I concept in Chinese philosophy and medicine is 'chi', a vital force that animates the body. One of the aims of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of 'chi' within the body; the belief is that by doing so the health and vitality of the person are enhanced. ‘Chi' circulates in patterns that are closely related to the nervous and vascular system. Another aim of Tai Chi is to foster a calm and tranquil mind, focused on the precise execution of these exercises. Learning to do them correctly provides a practical avenue for learning about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, the genesis of movement from the body's vital center, and so on.

Benefits of Tai Chi

Practicing Tai Chi has been associated with improved ability in other spheres of life, including standing, walking, running, moving, etc. Many people notice improved postural, alignment or movement patterns which can contribute to tension or injury. The meditative nature of the exercises is calming and relaxing which helps with stress reduction and maintaining a balanced mind, body and spirit.