Taijiquan
Taijiquan (pronounce tai chee chuan) is a Chinese internal martial art. It is very beneficial to our health and this is what we focus on in our practice: developing and exploring internal forces for self-healing and transformation.
The purpose of our Tai Chi practice :
to develope and explore internal forces for self-healing and transformation.
Based on the yin-yang theory, practitioners learn to be in balance and to restore the flow of qi ("chee") in the body. Students will learn the form (sequence of postures), the applications of the taiji principles and ancient techniques to develop special forces to heal yourself.
Taijiquan is an excellent tool for self-healing if practiced properly. The way tai chi is practiced nowadays - slow movements performed in an almost meditative state - doesn't really do more than help you relax. Modern tai chi has become a method of relaxation. All the other so-called health benefits are mostly imaginary or the result of relaxation, which is OK of course. But it can do more for you!
Correct practice of taijiquan is beneficial for your health because of the effect it has on your internal energy system.
When applying the old - and almost lost - knowledge in your tai chi practice, a new world will open to you. Rather than talk about the dantian, you will feel it and learn to use it. You will understand what it means when people say the qi goes where the mind goes. Words will become very meaningful and you'll be able to put them into practice.
Here are a few reasons why tai chi can be good for you:
Postures and movements will help you gently stretch the spine and joints. Activation of the dantian boosts the immune system and the energy system.
Opening of the energy channels will release energy blocks.
Expelling binqi or diseased energy relieves pain and disease.
Release of emotional information enables you to heal old emotional scars.
Quiet the mind and say goodbye to accumulated daily stress.
Relaxation, not as we tend to think of it - true relaxation is a nice deep sleep - but a controlled relaxation where only those muscles are working that are necessary. As a result, the few muscles that are working, work extremely hard!
Focussing and mind training: every move you make demands full concentration. Continuity in the form means that a movement may stop, but your intent continues.
Spiritual growth: open energy channels enable you to more easily 'connect' to your higher Self, especially when you meditate regularly. Note that certain taiji postures are actually meditation postures.
Another reason is that taijiquan combines "tuna" (exhalation of carbon dioxide and inhalation of fresh air - an early form / description of qigong) and "daoyin" (breathing and stretch exercises).
Again, the focus in my classes & workshops is to work with and develop the internal energy. I do not focus at all on the martial arts aspect.
