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Angus Tai Chi Academy

Chinese Internal Arts for Health & Wellbeing

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Tai Chi

Tai Chi, also written Taiji, Taijiquan or T’ai Chi Ch’uan, is a slow and gentleweight-bearing exercise taught as a sequence of moves or postures. There are many styles and variations of Tai Chi taught throughout the world, and our particular variation is based on the Traditional Yang style 108-move set, modified by our late Sifu, Master Moy Lin-Shin. Master Moy adapted the set by adding more turning and stretching to open up the student’s joints and massage the internal organs. Master Moy also borrowed from Taoist internal arts, Lokhupbafa, XingYi and BaGua to modify the Tai Chi set.

Though Tai Chi has its roots in martial arts, we emphasize the health benefits of the art. Practiced diligently, and in a relaxed manner, Tai Chi can increase the student’s circulation and flexibility, leading to improved health and a feeling of greater vitality.

TAI CHI: AN EXERCISE FOR HEALTH

Tai Chi provides a moderate aerobic workout for the entire body. It is simple and great for all ages with many benefits.
 Given our modern lifestyle, most of us have developed habits that have led to discomfort or ill health, and as a result, we can all benefit from Tai Chi. In particular, seniors have enjoyed the highest level of benefit from practicing Tai Chi, but students of all ages and abilities can benefit.
 

Tai Chi is a moving meditation, a series of circular movements with gentle, rhythmic stretching, turning and extending of the body and limbs. The moves are balanced stretches with no sudden or high-impact transfer of weight. Although these Tai Chi movements stimulate the spine to move more freely, the effect is to strengthen and exercise every part of the body.

 

      The goal of Tai Chi is to return the body to a state of youthful functionality and develop a clear and uncluttered mind.
       Jess Goodman,
M.D.

With diligent, relaxed practice, the moves in this form of Tai Chi open up all the joints of the body for the circulation of the blood, lymphatic fluid and energy (Qi) to pass through easily. With good circulation, the body will heal and rejuvenate itself naturally. The focus is on the flow and utilization of energy rather than fixed martial applications.

However, there is always an underlying martial art quality when Tai Chi is practiced diligently for a long period. This quality can be felt in a stronger, more unified body structure.

Benefits to both body and mind have been shown in numerous studies. Tai Chi had been found to help reverse the physical effects of stress on the body and restore harmony both physically and mentally.

Physical Benefits:
  - Increased flexibility - Improved balance
  - Improved immune function - Enhanced motor coordination
  - Reduction in pain and tension - Improved cardiovascular function

  - Better sleep patterns - Increased energy

Mental Benefits:
  - Reduced stress and anxiety - Increased relaxation
  - Better concentration and focus - Improved memory
  - Enhanced sense of well-being

       As an exercise, Tai Chi offers a huge variety of health benefits. It is practiced in a weight-bearing position, which is important for bone strength, and because it is actually an aerobic workout, it acts to improve the whole cardiovascular system.

       An added dimension to this set of gentle movements is the stretching and balancing of the body’s weight on different joints.
       Tai Chi gradually produces increased flexibility, strength and stability. It needs no special equipment and can be done anywhere.

       Judy Ben-Israel, Chiropractor

 

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