Tai Chi is an ancient internal Martial Art and an art of movement. Tai Chi involves Qigong as part of its essence and provides exercise systems used to promote health, healing and vitality.
Tai Chi Chuan is the full name for what most people refer to as Tai Chi (or TaiJi). Tai Chi means ‘The Supreme Ultimate’ and encompasses both philosophical and spiritual concepts. The term ‘Chuan’ means ‘fist’ or ‘boxing’ and Tai Chi is an extremely effective form of self-defence.
Its purpose is the cultivation of life, health and the wholesome evolution of body and mind, as well as self-defence. It is an art that uses inner energy application instead of muscle power and therefore can be practiced by, and benefit, both young and old alike at any level of fitness.
Tai Chi is a slow gentle movement (at first) and can create a calmer mental state, focusing inwards away from the distractions of daily life and focusing instead on our breathing and body movement. This focus naturally re-balances our mind, relieving stress. It is often referred to as moving meditation.
There are many claims made about the health benefits of Tai Chi both as a preventative and interventive form of health and healing. Physical benefits can include improved posture, less fatigue, more vitality, blood pressure is more balanced and breathing capacity is increased. Core stability can be improved, muscles in the back are strengthened, tension in the shoulders reduced and leg strength and muscle toning are improved.
Stress reduction and improved balance are usually the most immediately noticed benefits with many people reporting “the first good night’s sleep in ages” after just one or two sessions.
Extensive scientific research has and is being carried out and in order to confirm the health claims made by practitioners and reported via the Harvard Medical Press, Medical News Today, and the BBC among many others
Significant medical verification has been provided for claims including:
- Increase energy levels yet improve the quality of your sleep.
- Increase flexibility and coordination, and improve posture and balance (helping to reduce the risk of falls).
- Improve quality of life and range of motion.
- Improve circulation, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Condition and strengthen the bones, which can help to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
- Improve some medical conditions, e.g. arthritis, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive disorders.
- Reduced pain and the symptoms of depression in some cases.
- Significant results of the beneficial effects on cognitive function.
Learning a new activity whilst exercising, can keep both our minds and bodies active. We passionately believe that the regular practice of Tai Chi and Qigong will deliver benefits to practitioners. We also believe that there must be fun in any activity to maximise learning and derive the full benefits from the practice.
Tai Chi is an ancient internal Martial Art and an art of movement. It’s purpose is the cultivation of life, health and the wholesome evolution of body and mind, as well as self defense. It is an art that uses inner energy being applied instead of muscle power and therefore it can be practiced by both young and old alike.
Tai Chi is a slow gentle movement and can create a calmer mental state, focusing inwards away from the distractions of daily life and focus instead on our breathing and body movement. This naturally re-balances our mind, relieving stress.
Tai Chi’s physical benefits can include improved posture, less fatigue, blood pressure is more balanced and can increase our breathing capacity. Core stability can be increased, muscles in the back are strengthened, reduces tension in the shoulders and creates leg strength and muscle toning.
Learning a new activity whilst exercising, can keep both our minds and bodies active.