Tai Chi
Tai Chi
My earliest memories of Tai Chi
were when the show "Kung Fu" hit the
television scene in the 70's. My father
was mesmerized by David Carridines fluid
movements and quiet ways, and several
weeks later I found him out in the back
yard practicing the lessons he'd learned
at his first Tai Chi
class.
I don't know how much Tai Chi
really had to do with the show, but it
had enough of an impact on my father to
change his eating habits and routines
forever.
I also thought it was really
cool that when he told me to grab his
wrist, and then side stepped away,
causing me to fall forward on my face.
There were a few kids on the playground I
was eager to try that move on!
More importantly, doing the
daily exercise movements with my father
brought us closer together, and for that
I will always practice Tai Chi with a
certain fondness.
Tai Chi is a gentle form of
exercise which can be practiced by anyone
regardless of physical capabilities. Even
my mother, who was in a wheelchair as the
result of polio could do some of the
movements.
The modern world is fast paced,
and yet we sit around a lot, don't we?
While modern technology makes our lives
easier, we are slowly as a culture losing
the regular muscle tone that would come
with regular labor-now we go to the gym,
if we remember to or don't get bored with
it.
We now experience a wide range
of health problems including circulatory,
headaches, high blood pressure and
chronic back and neck pain, and most of
it is a result of the jobs we
perform.
Tai Chi is about massage-like
movements and stretching, in a nutshell.
The long term effects of the daily
practice of Tai Chi produces reduced
tension, increased strength and stamina,
and flexibility.
When proper circulation is
restored, Taoist Tai Chi teaches that the
body will begin to heal itself, restoring
proper function of the muscles,
ligaments, and even organs.
In time, you will begin to
notice a change in the entire physiology
of the body.
If you need facts and documented
evidence, Tai Chi is moderate
cardiovascular exercise and is one of the
few that can be preformed by
anyone.
The exercise and movements can
be done from a sitting position or a bed.
It also helps the immune system by
regulating it, and makes a huge
difference in posture, aligning the spine
and reducing degeneration.
Tai Chi is a weight bearing
exercise-your own-and can help maintain
bone density.
This is especially helpful if
you are a woman with a genetic
predisposition of
Osteoporosis.
It takes around four months to
learn the set of movements associated
with the Taoist Tai Chi.
The instructors will demonstrate
and then stick with the class until
everyone is comfortable with the
movements. Because they are slow and
deliberate, the movements are quite easy
to learn.
Unlike other exercise classes
you may find at your gym (you know the
ones with someone who has a perfect body
on either side of you), you do not have
to be in great shape to begin to practice
Tai Chi.
Anyone of any age or shape can
learn the movements.
You can find a class near you by
searching their world site online, the
instructor is a member of the Taoist Tai
Chi Society, and does not get paid for
their time.
They are volunteers who must
pass a certification class and adhere to
strict guidelines set forth by the
society.
Any fee you will pay is for your
dues as a member of the society, and so
it is very important that you join an
actual branch of the society, that way
you are a member of the entire society,
and can take classes in any town (or
nation) you happen to be traveling
in.
Membership fees change according
to your situation. There are special fees
for students and the elderly, and
financial hardship scholarships are
available.
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