TAI CHI

Mind Body Spirit

Tai Chi is an ancient martial arts form, that was developed in China many centuries ago. It is said to have healing effects that can benefit us all.

The Magic of Tai Chi

Have you ever seen the graceful, fluid movements of Tai Chi practitioners, as if moving is no effort at all

- LIKE MAGIC.

The story of Tai Chi tells us about the ancient masters of the Taoist tradition, who wanted to fully experience the universal harmony - 'Tao' - which they felt was flowing through all things. These masters isolated themselves in mountainous regions to be at one with 'Tao', the great way of the universe. The masters began to develop a martial art to promote good health and to give proper defence wherever they lived. They studied the movement and habits of animals, that lived long lives, such as turtles and cranes, in order to develop the soft styles of motion, which became Tai Chi.

They believed that the universe was made up of female and male powers, Yin and Yang.

Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet and passive; and is associated with water, earth, moon, night-time and femininity.

Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, sun, day-time and masculinity.

Tai chi uses the forces of nature to bring harmony of yin and yang into the body.

Harmony in body also brings harmony in the mind and spirit. When a practitioner flows through a Tai Chi form, the body moves in a way that intends to bring harmony within and without. One such movement in Tai Chi, called 'The white crane spreads its wings', has the arms stretched in opposite directions, so that one faces heaven and the other the earth; meanwhile the movement is stimulating the internal organs, while stretching the muscles in the arms and shoulders.

People, who practice Tai Chi can experience better digestion, a sense of calm and better vitality. They may notice better circulation and breathing and they have better control over their moods.