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What is Taiji?
Taijiquan, known as Taiji (Tai Chi), was
originally created as a martial art. There are many
different styles of Taiji. Among them, Yang, Chen,
Sun and Wu style are the most popular.
Taiji Qigong |
However, all of them utilize the Yin-Yang
philosophy; use eight kinds of force and five steps. The
way it is performed is slow, soft and graceful with
smooth and even transitions between movements, each
movement of Taiji contains martial applications.
Since it is performed slowly and softly, how is that
possible for Taiji to be a form of martial art? Well,
the secret lies in the training method. It involves
two kinds of training. One is Taiji Qigong (either
standing or sitting) practice, and the other is the
form (routine) practice.
Taiji Form |
The Taiji Qigong practice builds up the internal
power, and the form practice executes the techniques. At
the very beginning, the trainee needs to start slow
and gentle. It is just like watching the movement
in slow motion. This allows the trainee has time
to analyze the body mechanic and feel the details
of each movement. Once the initiate training is finished,
the trainee will progress to actual martial art application—push
hands, two-men set etc.
Two-men Set |
The benefits of practicing Taiji, especially
for older adults, are documented in numerous studies
since early 90s. Steven L. Wolf, Ph.D.,
Tingsen Xu, Ph.D. and colleagues at the Emory University
School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, had published more
than ten papers on Taiji and balance. One of their
early studies sponsored by the National Institute
on Aging (NIA) was published in the Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society’s May 1996 issue.
The study found that older people taking part in
a 15-week Taiji program reduced their risk of falling
by 47.5 percent. (Dr. Wolf’s latest article
on Taiji is: The influence of intense Tai Chi training
on functional performance and homodynamic outcomes
in transitionally frail, older adults. J Gerontol
Med Sci., 61A, 184-89, 2006. Dr. Xu has focused on
increasing public awareness of the importance of
prevention for solving the nation’s health
problems, focusing on the benefits of Taiji for reducing
falls in senior adults. He has been cooperating with
Mrs. Jimmy Carter in making a video tape to help relieve stress and depression for those who lost family members in the Sept. 11th disaster). No wonder Time Magazine called Taiji the Perfect Exercise (Why Tai Chi Is the Perfect Exercise, By: Christine Gorman, Time magazine, July 31, 2002). How can Taiji achieve that? As in all forms of martial art, Taiji focuses on the precise execution of the movements and it requires a calm mind and relaxed body. To do them correctly require concentration, balance, alignment, eye-hand coordination, and so on. Thus Taiji practice can correct poor body postural, improve balance, motor control etc. Also, Taiji works on the Meridian system that improves the Qi flow and strengthen health.
Traditionally, it takes years of studying and intensive practicing to master the proper martial art techniques. Today majority of people practice Taiji for health, it does not take that long to see the results.
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