Characteristics

November 2, 2006

The principles of body mechanics are appropriate to the soft and slow unhurried Tai Chi movements; they help to relieve tense muscles and lubricate joints that promote automatic body alignment and a solid center of gravity. The mental concentration, deep breathing, relaxing, sinking and pressing, generates a marvelous inner energy flow throughout the system, resulting in the movements of Tai Chi Chuan.

Loosening the tense muscles and joints animates one’s daily activities, enhances athletes to have a quick physical action and reflexes in their competition; and helps martial artists obtain higher speed and power of punches and kicks.

The basic Yang Style Tai Chi way of combat training is done in slow motion, eliminating mistakes and bad habits; it is a similar manner to that of a beginner typist. Slow and deliberate motion training conserves energy and gets the job done well. It is also an excellent way of daily working out for Western boxers, and for practitioners of any other style of martial arts or sports.

To prepare for a serious martial art match or any sport competitions, muscle power is required, and muscle training is needed. There are many ways to build up muscles, such as running, jumping, weight lifting, punching and kicking, or hitting the heavy bags. Ring fighters need strong muscles in order to produce powerful actions.

Bigger muscles can deal with stronger resistance for the impact. Muscles are like tires. We use regular-size tires for regular cars, bigger and thicker tires for trucks.  We cannot use automobile tires for jumbo jet!

Muscles are like tires, in that too much or too little muscles are not good. The size and strength of muscles depends on the resistance that is met or dealt with. The soft movements of Tai Chi Chuan do not meet any resistance, and do not require big muscles:  the movements rely on the inner pressurized energy flow to form the posture.

These rhythmic, soft and slow movements are like ocean waves.  They push and merge into one another, creating a continuous flow of energy, seemingly with no beginning and no end. This gentle and unhurried motion of Tai Chi Chuan helps to regulate the nervous system, relieve muscular tension, reduces anxiety, stress and depression. It is an optimistic result of mental/physical fitness and spiritual well being.

Full exhalation increases lung capacity for incoming oxygen. The high level oxygen is presented into the body, gives us adequate energy to optimize metabolism and remove toxic wastes from the tissues. The more oxygen we have in our system, the more energy we produce and the healthier we will be.

Practicing the solo movements with relaxed mind and body helps loosen the organs, lymph system and tense muscles. This helps energy flow evenly and thoroughly throughout our entire body’s respiratory system. It limits sickness, removes life-threatening diseases, and amplifies the immune system. It creates a good circulation in the body, and can transform a miserable, sick person into a happy and healthy one.

In order for us to be productive, healthy, and balanced, we should understand the importance of yielding and going with the flow of life. There are millions and millions of people around world who are enjoying the significant health benefit available by daily practicing the slow and "not in a hurry" motion of Tai Chi Chuan.

Companies know that their success is dependent on the well being of their most valuable resource, their employees. Tai Chi Chuan meets the modern criteria for keeping employees healthy in mind, body and spirit. It can be inexpensively implemented while keeping employee productivity levels high.

Tai Chi Chuan is best of the best exercises for physical fitness and overall psychological fit. It does not require any equipment, or a large space.  Male or female, old or young, weak or strong, you will definitely receive great benefits by regularly and faithfully practicing Tai Chi Chuan, whether for your physical health, mental well being, or for the art of self-defense -- even just for the joy of life.