What is Tai Chi? A quick guide from Stratford Tai Chi

May 12, 2009 by  

The exact origins of Tai Chi are hard to tie down. There are many myths about its origins. One of those says that Taoist monk Chang San-feng was disturbed by the sounds of a snake and a crane fighting in his courtyard. He then built a style based around their movements.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of movement that coordinates your body and focuses on the cultivation of internal energy. It’s aim is to harmonize the mind, body and spirit hence, promoting both metal and physical well being through relaxation. It is often described as a type of meditation that combines deep breathing and movements that exact structual alignment. Correct practice appears rhythmical, effortless and in continuous flow and it can generate surprising power almost at odds with its gentle movements.

People who regularly practice Tai Chi become revitalized, relaxed, tolerant, stronger and healthier. Tai Chi is suitable for all ages and sexes because it does not rely on strength, force or speeds. It brings benefits in many areas.

Tai chi is derived from Chinese health and longevity practices, which were merged with a comprehensive system of self defence. In the past, much of Tai Chi was kept secret, but very gradually, knowledge of the art spread throughout China. Now at the start and end of every day in villages, towns, and cities all over Chinese Asia, people can be seen practicing the slow, graceful movements of tai chi in courtyards, squares and parks.

Tai chi came to the West during the 20th century largely due to the cultural revolution when many masters fled the country. Today, tai chi is found in almost all countries, and a huge number of people practice it regularly.

It requires a high degree of concentration and mental focus. The breathing is natural, sometimes involving deep breathing, and is carefully synchronised to your movements.

Tai Chi consists of soft, relaxed (usually) slow movements and is recognised as being good for stress, balance, blood pressure and general health.It is one of the one of the Chinese Internal martial arts (neijia). The others being Hsing-I, Ba Gua Zhang and Liuhebafa(Six Harmonies, 8 Methods).

Tai Chi appeals to a wide range of people and age ranges, (teens and 20′s up to 80′s & 90′s) but it is not common for the art to be taught to children as the training can be slow for their tastes. There are a number of forms specifically targetted at the over 50′s and health problems such as Arthritis.

To get more free information about Tai Chi, Please visit Stratford Tai Chi at www.stratfordtaichi.co.uk.

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Comments

9 Responses to “What is Tai Chi? A quick guide from Stratford Tai Chi”

  1. dellorrego chavon on April 20th, 2010 2:12 am

    i like the music, who is composer ? any1 knows .

  2. Isabelle Lorion on August 15th, 2010 10:59 am

    I like tai chi because it makes you feel whole inside. Tai chi was invented by Chinese Taoist and/or Bhuddist monks thousands of years ago. It was used to promote, health, mindfulness, and the flow of chi through the body. Tai chi is often referred to as one of the soft or internal martial arts, and there aren't many sudden movements in it. I also like tai chi because there a certain sense of spirituality that comes with practicing it. Tai chi is all around a good thing to practice.

  3. A on January 22nd, 2011 2:50 pm

    I know what you are going through. I'm Korean adopted, and 16 and I sill get made fun of at school. I thought it would have gotten better by high school, which it has a little, but there is still some going on. And it is just so not fair that we have to be the ones that suffer. I bet not one of them could take being a minority for one day. Blacks definitely do not get made fun of as much, in fact they are actually considered cool. I've thought about killing myself too, and part of why I haven't is because I'm just too scared. And hey, we have to stick together. On

  4. faithfulnews on May 16th, 2011 7:45 pm

    RT Chinese Communist Party Officials traffic children stolen from the poor to the #US and #Europe

  5. David E on July 16th, 2011 7:38 pm

    Thai Chi is the name of a specific style of martial arts making it a proper noun, so both words should be capitalized.

    Sensei Scandal- you just like to yell. Were you a Drill Instructor in another life? LMAO

  6. agraz7777 on July 23rd, 2011 7:49 am

    Wow. That sucks hugely, sounds even worse than my situation… I was living with my mom in high school, and she was an alcoholic/coke/meth addict. I was a straight A student and involved in music/leadership roles in school…. We'd get in fights all the time, and she'd spend money that I'd give her for rent on wine. She'd call the cops on me and I'd get the same "listen to your mother" lecture over and over again.

    When I couldn't deal with my mom anymore, I left to move in with my father halfway through Jr. year of high school… Moving sucked, but it was worth it.

    Unfortunately, a year later, my mother was found in an apartment with a gunshot wound in her chest… we don't know if it's suicide or homicide… but yeah :'(

    You're being put through tons of physical and psychological abuse. You don't deserve any of this, and SHE's in the wrong for not taking responsibility. Don't ever feel guilty, EVER.

    Get out of there as soon as possible. Talk to a counselor at your high school about your problems, or talk to your band director… band directors are like parent-figures anyways, and maybe your director can figure out a place for you to stay… or at least suggest some kind of help. YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS LIVING SITUATION, and not go back unless your mother straightens up. Get help!!!

    Talk to a friend's parent you trust, anyone is better than no one.

  7. terapiascordoba on July 26th, 2011 2:10 pm

    RT Vote today 7/26 for more yoga, pilates & tai chi at OASIS. Tweet worth $5 from for #AdultWellness Pls RT

  8. Dick Langlois on August 6th, 2011 4:43 pm

    The other (basketball) Emeka Okafor also has connections with both business and Africa. As you probably know, he graduated from the UConn Honors Program in three years with a 3.7 GPA in Finance. He has now become involved with a foundation that tries to improve the safety of blood supplies in Africa. What the two have in common apart from their name (I am quite sure) is that they are both Ibo. (The UConn Emeka was born in Houston of Nigerian parents.) P. T. Bauer famously singled out the Ibo as a particularly entrepreneurial and market-oriented group who, like the Jews in Europe and the expatriate Chinese in Asia, have often been persecuted by majority groups as a result.

  9. chicki_love1000 on January 8th, 2012 2:57 am

    Hey email me and tell me if you are taking jted anat and physiology online class and ill answer your questions… what program is this from? What lesson… which quiz/assignment?

    1. Which is not a characteristic of all living things?

    C. eat to get nutrients …. a guess

    3. Why are viruses not considered living?

    B. They have a protein capsid.
    C. They infect cells to reproduce. dont know which one

    5. What does a vaccine do?
    C. It prevents you from getting sick from most viruses.

    8. If you touch your mom on her shoulder and she turns around, you are a

    B. stimulus

    12. Which of the following is not a benefit of bacteria?
    D. cholera

    13. Which of the following foods should be stored in the refrigerator?
    D. poultry

    14. "One organism is the parent of one or more other organisms" is the definition for what term?

    B. asexual reproduction

    15. The definition for the term homeostasis is

    A. the ability of an organism to keep its internal conditions suitable for life

    16. The scientific term for "obtaining and using energy" is

    C. metabolism

    17. What is the term for "a noncellular particle that is made up of protein and genetic material"?

    21. Which of the following is not caused by bacteria?

    C.tuberculosis

    22. Which of the following is a method to control bacteria?

    B.sterilization
    D.soap and water

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