Arthritis

Hypertension

Osteoporosis

Unification

Back Pain

Immune Function

Pain

Vascular System

Cardiovascular

Joy

Quality of Life

Wellbeing

Diabetes

Knee Pain

Relaxation

X-ercise

Equilibrium

Lung Capacity

Strength

Youthfulness

Flexibility

Mobility

Tension

Zest, Zeal & Zip

Gastrointestinal

Nervous System

• Taijiquan is recognized by medical professionals and scientists the world over for its healing properties.

• Taijiquan is respected by martial artists from around the globe for its power and fighting skills.

• Taijiquan is documented to mitigate many problems facing our senior citizens.

Today many of us view Taijiquan simply as a form of physical exercise. But recent western scientific studies have demonstrated the numerous health improvements from the regular practice of Taiji—even amongst novice students. From day one people notice changes in their health problems. Studies have demonstrated reductions in blood pressure and increases in bone density. Many receive relief from arthritis. There are noticeable improvements in balance. Many people observe that healing is accelerated. Cardiovascular stamina increases. Digestion and circulation improve.

In addition to the values to be found on the physical side are the benefits to the mind. Many people find that Taijiquan improves their sense of personal power, their self-esteem and their sense of wellbeing. Taijiquan gives powerful assistance to the work of self-improvement, especially for those working with professional therapists. Taiji assists in gaining access to the deeply hidden areas of the psyche with profound ease.

Qi: Force of Nature

Qi is nothing more or less than a word used to describe the basic energy that animates life. It is not a mystical thing. Qi is innate. However, in Taiji theory, one can cultivate or amplify this essence. Like a seed, the potential is within. When properly cared for, this potential can increase. The acorn will grow only into an oak tree. It cannot become anything else. So it is with our Qi. We will only blossom into ourselves.

If we accept Einstein’s theory that the entire universe is made up of energy, we have a western perspective of this concept. In this way we can see how Qi has innumerable forms. In human terms, Qi is essentially our natural life force. Taijiquan is designed to care and nurture this natural life force and to help us reach our full potential.

The Power of Intrinsic Strength

In Taijiquan, we distinguish movements propelled by the natural, alignments and Qi from the movements requiring muscle power. We learn how to identify the structural strength of our bodies. When properly aligned and relaxed we can express great power without effort. This is different from the strength we issue with our muscles. Just as a chair with thin wooden legs can support our weight easily when correctly aligned, if we were to lean back, those spindly wooden legs would snap unless strongly reinforced.

So it is with body alignments. Even those who see themselves as weak are surprised by their hidden power once they learn to properly execute their movements using their intrinsic strength.

Minimum Effort, Maximum Efficiency

Taijiquan’s first and foremost teaching is to stand on our own two feet. This task we learned in our first year of life, is still daunting. Even though we’re able to keep from falling, we do so through many subtle machinations. What we learn in Taijiquan is how to stand properly. We emphasize maintaining structural strength with the least amount of effort. It is the skeletal system that is designed to bear body weight. When properly aligned, the muscles need not to strain to keep the body erect. Instead, the muscles have only to sustain the alignment. Greater relaxation without a loss of strength is the result.

A Unique Way of Moving

Taiji is an exercise for the joints. It emphasizes exercising tendons, ligaments and the connective tissues of the body as opposed to the muscles. Muscles are used, but motion is produced while sustaining their relaxation. In part, this is accomplished by confining movements to their most comfortable range.

Tendons and ligaments are used to retain the body’s natural shape so that the muscles can remain without tension. Postures are designed so that muscles are never over-stretched, and at the same time, are prevented from becoming too loose. Moving slowly allows the focus to remain clearly on subtle sensations, so that movements can be done optimally.

A Unified Body

In Taijiquan, the body works as a single integrated unit. All the power begins in the feet and moves progressively through the body until it is expressed in the hands. As a consequence, the power created in movement is much greater than it would otherwise be. For instance, instead of being pushed by a finger, the hand pushes the finger; the arm pushes the hand; the torso pushes the arm; the legs push the torso.

The Work of the Mind

The mental component of Taijiquan is the most important. It sharpens the mental faculties. It goes much further than just body awareness. Everything begins in the mind. Nothing is ever accomplished in the human realm unless it manifests first in the mind.

Linking the mind with the body is part of the foundation work of Taijiquan. Most of us have only partial awareness of our bodies. There are areas where we may be blind to any but intense sensations. In Taijiquan, we direct our attention into all the parts of our bodies. In some places, we may have to rely upon our imagination to visualize.

When we practice, we endeavor to link our thoughts (the conscious mind) with the sensations of the body (the subconscious mind). Learning the movements and coordinating the body provide tremendous mental exercise. Taijiquan helps keep mental acuity sharp. Taiji has been shown to help relieve

The Benefits of Taijiquan A-Z

Arthritis symptoms and increase the range of joint mobility.

Taiji provides substantial help for people suffering Back Pain by correcting basic postural issues.

Taiji is known to lower Blood Pressure in the Cardiovascular System.

Taiji improves Diabetes related issues by improving adrenal function by reducing stress hormones both during and after practice.

Taiji demonstrates marked improvements in Equilibrium and balance.

Taiji improves muscle and joint Flexibility.

Taiji improves digestion and the function of the Gastrointestinal tract.

Taiji helps reduce Hypertension by lowering blood pressure with strength and conditioning.

Taiji improves overall Immune Function helping the body's ability to fight off infection and disease.

Taiji increases Joy through the exercise and social interaction of classes and practice.

Taiji reduces Knee Pain and helps old knee injuries heal.

Taiji increases Lung Capacity and oxygen utilization.

Taiji improves general Mobility by focusing on the lubrication and functionality of the joints.

Taiji affects the Nervous System positively by developing sensitivity and awareness through the mind/body connection.

Taiji increases bone density and slows down Osteoporosis.

Taiji alleviates some forms of chronic Pain and discomfort.

Taiji generally improves the overall Quality of Life because it exercises the mind, moves the body and activates the qi.

Taiji teaches a helpful form of Relaxation that is also invigorating.

Taiji expands physical flexibility and increases Strength.

Taiji elevates moods and reduces Tension replacing it with dynamic relaxation.

Taiji develops one body power, a kind of inner Unification that dramatically instills intrinsic strength.

Taiji builds greater leg strength for improving the return blood flow in the Vascular System.

Taiji improves the sense of Wellbeing by restoring function, strength and comfort.

Taiji is a great form of low impact eX-ercise anyone can do regardless of age, gender, size or ability.

Taiji encourages Youthfulness by softening the body and tensions in likeness of a child.

Taiji brings out the Zest, Zeal & Zip in life.

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