Tai Chi is an old martial art, one that was practiced for centuries in China as an exercise, a martial art, and a way to improve the internal flow of energy in the body. It emphasis correct form and feeling with each and every movement, which is why it is always taught to be practiced in a slow and relaxed fashion.
By involving the entire body with little to no impact, Tai Chi chuan promotes strength, flexibility, and stamina. With the entire body being taught to move as a whole, Tai Chi cultivates the link among the mind and the body, helping to strengthen one's coordination and balance. It can also assist with the joints as well, especially if an individual is very stiff in the joints.
Although it was created to be a martial art, it involves very little striking, offensive, or even defense movements. Tai Chi is a movement and breathing art that involves all of the major muscles and joints in the body, helping to move around internal energy, or chi. The Chinese believe that internal energy, or chi is what prevents or halts diseases.
When practicing the art through tai chi classes, the body will remain very loose and relaxed, just like it was suspended from the top of the head with the joints being the same to that of a puppet. The mind of the student is focused on each movement, focusing on the flow of energy. By being relaxed and focused, you allow the energy to flow through your entire body.
Even though you are soft and relaxed, you are still always moving. The energy that moves through your body never stops, it keeps you moving. When you move in reality, it takes little to no energy to make a movement. By using your chi, everything you do seems as if it is weightless.
In combat Tai Chi movements, the pupil uses his opponent's energy against him. The stylist is quite relaxed, as they believe that the energy from the opponent is used against them. There is little to no strength involved. When the opponent becomes weak and tires himself out - the stylist attacks. This way, there is very little energy left for any more type of movements.
Tai Chi is one of the oldest forms of martial arts, and one of the hardest to find these days. Just like other martial arts, such as Tiger Claw and Ninjutsu, it can be very hard to find a dojo that teaches the art. If you can find a dojo that teaches the art of Tai Chi, you really should not pass it up. You can learn a lot about internal energy and your spiritual well being - learning more about yourself than you ever thought possible in the process.
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