Tai-Chi

[Maya]

For those of you who are looking for an alternative way of relaxation with a combination of light exercises, please have a look at Tai Chi. I have just started practicing the movements last night for about 15-20 min and it gave me instant calmness and relaxation, and immediately put me to sleep.
I’ve been trying to do meditation before I go to sleep but it displeases me that I could not keep myself still due to the irritating peculiar dizziness that I had been experiencing for about 8 months now. Every morning before I go to work, I pass by the mall seeing older people (mostly Chinese/Asians) practicing Tai –Chi as their way of exercise. I’ve never really paid attention to this until yesterday and started researching about its history and watching some movements online.

T'ai chi ch'uan often shortened as t'ai chi, taiji or tai chi in English language is a Chinese martial art that has been practiced for centuries. Tracing back to its history, Tai-Chi originated from Taoist and Buddhist monasteries and is very popular because people of almost any age or condition can learn them.
Some people believe that Tai Chi improves the flow of energy through the body (including me), leading to better wellness and a wide range of potential benefits that include: Improved strength, conditioning, coordination, and flexibility, reduced pain and stiffness, better balance and lower risk of falls, enhanced sleep, greater awareness, calmness and overall sense of well-being.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNWPk6tYoUM

There are five major types of Tai Chi:

• Chen-style (陳氏) of Chen Wangting (1580–1660) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen-style_t'ai_chi_ch'uan

• Yang-style (楊氏) of Yang Lu-ch'an (1799–1872) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang-style_t'ai_chi_ch'uan
• Wu- or Wu (Hao)-style (武氏) of Wu Yu-hsiang (1812–1880) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_(Hao)-style_t'ai_chi_ch'uan
• Wu-style (吳氏) of Wu Ch'uan-yu (1834–1902) and his son Wu Chien-ch'uan (1870–1942) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu-style_t'ai_chi_ch'uan
• Sun-style (孫氏) of Sun Lu-t'ang (1861–1932) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun-style_t'ai_chi_ch'uan

There are now tons of new styles, hybrid styles, and offshoots of the main styles, but the five family schools are the groups recognized by the international community as being the orthodox styles.

I don't have a particular style as I have just started and am only pursuing Tai Chi as a means of combating stress and relaxation. This together with Acupuncture will definitely improve my current condition. I absolutely recommend this to anyone and mostly for those who are suffering from bad comedowns as a way to relieve stress and anxiety.

 

[modern buddha]

I took a class of tai chi in college and still have the book. I personally loved it and do it every so often when I don't want to sit and meditate or exercise. I had no idea there were so many styles, but then again, it doesn't quite surprise me. Haha.

 

[Maya]

I'm actually planning to tai chi with the older people In the mall this coming weekend. Its free and I think that it will be more fun to do it with people than just by myself. Lets just hope I can wake up early lol.

 

[kaywholed]

I haven't done a full tai chi class, but i took a yoga/pilaties/tai chi flow class and love the tai chi parts.

I actually will often just get baked and do the swinging arms thing as I space out.

 

[modern buddha]

I'm actually planning to tai chi with the older people In the mall this coming weekend. Its free and I think that it will be more fun to do it with people than just by myself. Lets just hope I can wake up early lol.

Fingers are crossed. The old folks will love you. Breakfast offerings are abound!

i like chai tea

Modern buddha likes this.

 

[Somberlain]

Do you do this on your own? I always was under the impression that this stuff takes expensive lessons/teachers. Is there any free material that i could use to try this out?

 

[modern buddha]

There are videos all over youtube about it, actually! It's enough to read a little about it, about your energy levels and to mimic the instructions until you get a feel for how it brings the energy out of you.

 

[Somberlain]

Hmkay - thanks for the reply. But actually i don't feel too comfortable with youtube-videos. People post so much crap there that i don't really like trusting yt-videos when it comes to health-related issues.

Do you maybe have tips/guidelines to decide what videos are worth watching (and following the instructions given there)? Or maybe even links to recommended videos? I'd like to avoid wasting my time with some video only to find out later that the person responsible had no idea whatsoever regarding the subject.

edit: Is it even possible to learn this stuff without taking a proper class? I was told several times that you couldn't do this on your own and that you need someone to correct your mistakes and things like that. I don't like groups of people and because i want to try this stuff for relaxation and calming down it wouldn't be beneficial to be around people.

 

[Maya]

I can understand where you are coming from but youtube has been helpful to me not only in tai chi but in searching for other information as well. There are a lot of fictitious resources on youtube, but with proper research you should be able to find legitimate ones. You can try some of the videos on this link and see if it suits your standards:

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...0.estaryt..0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.EDazm-E2pK4

I think that it is possible to learn this stuff without taking classes if you have the proper tools (books, videos).