Springfield Taijiquan Tai Chi classes for health

Health

What is Tai Chi (Taiji)? Taijiquan is a traditional and ancient Chinese martial art believed to affect the flow of chi (energy) with a system of slow flowing movements of the hands and feet. Tai Chi is also used for the promotion of health and well being. Its slow and graceful movements teaches the practitioner to relax the body as well as the mind, which is the most important for both health and martial purposes.

What does Tai Chi Do? This internal discipline enables you to initiate movements from the internal core of the body- the abdomen and back—rather than from the external parts of the body—the limbs. Concentration is necessary to maintain balance while moving. Breathing must be even. Focusing on how the body moves and paying attention to the breathing lead to a feeling of relaxation. Class is geared to slowly improve students' strength, flexibility, balance, rhythm and coordination. Students will learn to perform gestures correctly.

Tai Chi is perhaps the most effective way to develop balanced health for the body and the mind. It develops:

Improved overall health
Calmness of mind
Suppleness, strength, co-ordination, balance, and agility
Relaxation and freedom from stress

For those who wish to practice a martial art, Tai Chi is also a subtle but very powerful form of self-defense. It is not a "quick-fix" martial art however, as skills are learned very slowly.

How is Tai Chi practiced? Practitioners are encouraged to practice at a level they feel comfortable with. People who are older or who's health is compromised take it slower than a youthful, healthy student . Tai Chi is all about building strength and energy, not injuring oneself.

The class always begins with a gentle warm up. Then often single movements of the form known as "Silk Reeling" exercises are practiced repeatedly to develop silk-reeling energy (Chan Si Jing). The main exercise used in Tai Chi is called the Form. This is a slow flowing sequence of coordinated movements, lasting from 5 to 20 minutes. The form very effectively develops physical skill and health. The class often includes a simple standing meditation/relaxation.


Home Health Self Defense Links email us
	Health What is Tai Chi (Taiji)? Taijiquan is a traditional and ancient Chinese martial art believed to affect the flow of chi (energy) with a system of slow flowing movements of the hands and feet. Tai Chi is also used for the promotion of health and well being. Its slow and graceful movements teaches the practitioner to relax the body as well as the mind, which is the most important for both health and martial purposes. What does Tai Chi Do? This internal discipline enables you to initiate movements from the internal core of the body- the abdomen and back—rather than from the external parts of the body—the limbs. Concentration is necessary to maintain balance while moving. Breathing must be even. Focusing on how the body moves and paying attention to the breathing lead to a feeling of relaxation. Class is geared to slowly improve students' strength, flexibility, balance, rhythm and coordination. Students will learn to perform gestures correctly. Tai Chi is perhaps the most effective way to develop balanced health for the body and the mind. It develops: Improved overall health Calmness of mind Suppleness, strength, co-ordination, balance, and agility Relaxation and freedom from stress For those who wish to practice a martial art, Tai Chi is also a subtle but very powerful form of self-defense. It is not a "quick-fix" martial art however, as skills are learned very slowly. How is Tai Chi practiced? Practitioners are encouraged to practice at a level they feel comfortable with. People who are older or who's health is compromised take it slower than a youthful, healthy student . Tai Chi is all about building strength and energy, not injuring oneself. The class always begins with a gentle warm up. Then often single movements of the form known as "Silk Reeling" exercises are practiced repeatedly to develop silk-reeling energy (Chan Si Jing). The main exercise used in Tai Chi is called the Form. This is a slow flowing sequence of coordinated movements, lasting from 5 to 20 minutes. The form very effectively develops physical skill and health. The class often includes a simple standing meditation/relaxation.
		The Yin/Yang symbol used by Chen Tai Chi.