This form of stillness in motion encourages the body to balance and heal itself.
The movements teach a philosophy of flow, balance and oneness. It is suitable for men and women in any physical condition. Chi is the life force of our body, flowing freely through twelve main channels to each of our vital organs. When this flow is blocked through stress or other outside influences, we feel unwell. The art of Tai Chi restores this life-giving flow of energy. It has the power to provide enormous inner strength which, in turn, aids our ability to cope with the pressures of modern day to day living.
Tai Chi is a gentle art. Its movements are slow yet precise. It can be practiced by people of all ages - it is an art which can involve the whole family, helping to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Learning the healing art of Tai Chi can be your first step to better health, more vitality and that special sense of well being which evolves when one finds peace within oneself. The Chinese characters for Tai Chi Chuan can be translated as the 'Supreme Ultimate Force'. The notion of 'supreme ultimate' is often associated with the Chinese concept of yin-yang, the notion that one can see a dynamic duality (male/female, active/passive, dark/light, forceful/yielding, etc.) in all things. 'Force' (or, more literally, 'fist') can be thought of here as the means or way of achieving this ying-yang, or 'supreme-ultimate' discipline.
Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the west today, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. There are a number of so- called 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.
Tai Chi is practiced by about 20 percent of the world’s population and is fast becoming the most popular exercise in the world today. Its rapid expansion is largely due to one important fact it feels really good. Although Tai Chi was originally a martial art and is increasingly offered by martial arts studios, it’s now practiced in businesses, hospitals and schools everywhere. Tai Chi is not only a valuable tool for improving health, it is a powerful buisness tool as well. Companies see that T’ai Chi improves productivity by helping employees to be happy, relaxed, and creative. Hospitals see Tai Chi as a potent, yet cost-effective, therapy for nearly any condition.Tai Chi classes can be found nowadays almost anywhere
