Tai chi principles
Tai chi is an outgrowth of Chi Gong, in that it is a Chinese martial art is primarily practiced for its health benefits. Tai chi is often called a moving meditation, and the style of them movements is designed to be flowing and soft (it is often called a ‘soft’ martial art) with no clear beginning and ending to each pattern and with the mind and breath leading the exercise rather than following behind as is so often the case in Western exercise styles.
The names given to Tai chi movements, such as ‘part the wild horse’s mane’ are deliberately poetic and powerful, in an attempt to lead the body to follow the mind as it contemplates that name and to visualise the body gaining the attributes of the name. So the whole style emphasises flowing movements, transfer of weight from one part of the both to another, balancing the breath and focusing the mind entirely on the exercise. This process is meant to deliver psychological well being by helping the practitioner both understand themselves and find better ways to deal with others. Yin and yang, the feminine and masculine principles, are supposed to be united and balanced in all things and all people – for every yin thing we do, a yang should balance it, and a yin experience should automatically lead to a yang response – this keeps us perfectly balanced in the world and in ourselves.
Learning tai chi involves mastering a sequence of movements slowly and with grace. Its masters claim that this improves mental health, concentration, coordination and muscular strength and suppleness.
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