Tai Chi Chuan – the ancient path to stress free living
Author: Matthew Rochford
When I began practising Tai Chi in 1991 the thing that struck me about it was its power or at least the promise of its power. What I went on to witness and discover was that there was nothing mystical or particularly esoteric about the power of tai chi it was more just a case of doing it, following tai chi’s unique set of principles and just witnessing what arose within me. When I practice my form (sequence of movements) it is never exactly the same but it is always beneficial.
Tai Chi means “the supreme ultimate” and Chuan means, “fist” so Tai Chi Chuan is in fact a martial art despite it’s reputation for just being a gentle meditative exercise. When practiced as a martial art Tai Chi is both effective and powerful (but this takes a lot of practise to even glimpse especially when you learn that in Tai Chi, the main focus is to use the power of the mind in unison with the energy and power of the body to release force in whatever direction you want).
The benefits of Tai Chi are immense and include improved co-ordination, circulation, posture, balance and well-being. Because tai chi is practised slowly and with a relaxed focus the nervous system becomes calmer and so do you. This meditative effect gives you a clearer perspective mentally and in today’s fast and hectic world this can only be a huge resource. In fact the stress relieving attributes are one of the main reasons why people start Tai Chi as it gives them a calm mind and real sense of physical emotional and spiritual health
Tai Chi started a long time ago so it’s had time to develop and evolve into what we see today. This slow process of change which has happened to tai chi over the centuries is mirrored in the way tai chi is practised i.e. at a meditative pace with no rush to complete it’s intricate and engrossing movements. The softness and flow of tai chi make you relax (you just can’t help it!) but it’s a rejuvenating kind of relaxation. At the end of a Tai Chi class people are buzzing with Qi (life-force), as the practice encourages your energy to flow and tension and blockages just seem to dissolve away. It all sounds very blissful and beautiful, which it is but you do have to put a little effort in to get the results. It’s hard to get your head around that something so graceful and elegant can be used for self defence too, but then again there is an old Chinese saying that ‘the best fighters never fight’ i.e. if you have no enemies internally or externally then there is no need for conflict. The philosophy behind Tai Chi (Taoism) is really useful too and includes the theory that if you fight force with force any conflict will get worse. It teaches yielding and flexibility to overcome any situation. This can diffuse a situation leaving room for negotiation and dialogue. When you take something like that into your daily life then you have gained a distinct advantage. Yielding encourages listening and when you listen you gain more information and it is easier to see where someone is coming from. In the workplace such a strategy would create less stress for everyone!
Part of the physiological aspect of tai chi includes the effect it has on our brain, our lymphatic system and our joints. Recent neurological research has found that tai chi practice encourages the brain to perform more effectively. This is partly due to the brain receiving more oxygenated blood (as the breathing technique in tai chi improves lung capacity and elasticity) but also because the meditative, calming effect of tai chi changes the brains frequency from beta (active normal waking waves) to alpha (receptive between sleep and awake waves which are related to improved ability to learn and remember). The lymphatic system is partly responsible for detoxifying the blood and is stimulated by the gentle muscular work in tai chi. The soft relaxed movements of Tai Chi massage the lymph nodes improving their function and boosting the immune system. The joints of the body are often where aches and pains first creep in so maintaining healthy active joints is important at any age. Because the load bearing joints of the body are kept in strong alignment throughout Tai Chi and are never abused nor greatly impacted upon, their health and function is protected whilst the circulation of blood in and around the joints is increased.
All in all Tai Chi offers us a unique way to combat stress and learn new and valuable skills.
Matthew Rochford B.A.
Senior Instructor, The Devon School Of Tai Chi Chuan.
Matthew Rochford has been studying Tai Chi and Chi Kung for over ten years and runs The Devon School Of Tai Chi Chuan, which provides courses to businesses, hospitals and health clubs throughout Devon and in Europe. He is one of the few Tai Chi Teachers who actually hold a professional qualification. Matthew’s work has been featured on BBC radio, Carlton TV. He has taught at The Mind Body Spirit Festival and The Gaia Visions Retreat Centre on Zante. Matthew is also the managing director of Blue Water Music, www.bluewatermusic.net. For further information about classes and courses please contact Matthew on 01364 631 545 or visit www.devontaichi.co.uk
More Martial Arts and Self Defense Articles
The Difference Between Karate and Kung Fu
For many people, especially those who are not familiar with martial arts, the question often arises on what the difference between karate and kung fu is. Upon watching somebody doing martial arts, the untrained eye will find it hard to tell...read more
Shaolin Temple: Dawn of Zen and Kung Fu
Shaolin Temple in Henan province, China is famous worldwide for its peaceful-looking monks who perform incredible kung fu stunts. For a long time, I have been fascinated by the martial arts skills of Shaolin monks . How are these monks able to...read more
Tips For Self Defense
Every day we face the risk of being attacked. Attacked by the street robbers, home intruders, rapists and violent persons of other sort. If you, your relative or a friend are attacked, you have a right to ward off an attack by using a force....read more
Women's Self-Defense - Why Most Programs Are Wrong
Women's self defense issues are constantly in the news and a 'hot' topic for conversations. It seems that everyone from police officers to karate instructors has his or her own philosophy and theories about the how's and why's of self defense for...read more
The Origins of Tai Chi
The Origins of Tai Chi The principles of Tai Chi were established
by Taoist hermits and evolved as a martial fighting art called Tai Chi Chuan. The
early Tai Chi teachers were mystical figures however; the exception was Chang
San-Feng,...read more
Verbal Self Defense – A Critical Factor in Self Defense for Women
Verbal self defense, the use of your voice in a threatening situation, is an extremely important tool in protecting yourself. How? Uncommon to popular belief, criminals do not pounce on an individual when the mood strikes them. They attack when they...read more
Methods of Qigong in Kung Fu training.
Qigong is a general name for the systems of hardening and improvement of body and mind, treatment and health enhancement created in China. They primarily based on the ability to control your own consciousness, mentality and through them all the ...read more
Choosing a Self Defense / Martial Arts School: a Parent's Guide
“Daddy, I want to take Karate!” “Mommy, Jimmy on the bus hit me again today” There are many reasons why parents want to sign their children up for Self Defense or Martial Arts classes. Once you have made the decision, now you are faced with...read more
Five Reasons Every Mom Needs Martial Arts
You’ve tried every class your gym has to offer: spin,
cardio, yoga and they’re fun for a while, but you find
yourself looking at the clock, thinking about all the
things you need to do. Soon working out is just that,
working out. It’s...read more
Self Defense Protection - Keeping Kids Safe Online
We all know that keeping our kids safe on the internet is a parent's priority lately. Here are some new tips and strategies to give parents solutions on how to protect their children. The biggest trick some child predators’ are using these days is...read more
|
How To Choose A Self Defense Product