The Benefits of Practicing Tai Chi Ch’uan

Practicing Tai Chi Ch’uan with the proper basics and essential tai Chi principles such as; slow controlled movements, a correct posture, proper breathing and effective weight transfer with a calm clear mind provides us with many health benefits. The Internet is awash with information on this topic based on scientific studies, personal accounts and historic teachings.

Over the years I have witnessed the more obvious benefits with many of my students, such as improved concentration, improved balance, an improved sense of posture alignment and coordination, improved sense of rhythm and the ability to move from the body’s vital centre.

The benefits attained from frequent practice of good Tai Chi are available to persons of all ages, young children, teenagers, adults and the elderly.

In general in my experience, the common health benefits can be listed as:

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Improved posture

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Improved balance

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Improved flexibility

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Improved levels of confidence

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Improved motor coordination

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Improved breathing

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Improved mobility

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Improved concentration

Two additional benefits from practicing Tai Chi are an improved flow of energy (Qi) through the body and an increased ability to calm the mind.

Improved flow of energy – In Chinese philosophy and medicine, exists the concept of qi (ch’i) or (chi) a vital force that animates the body. One of the aims of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of this qi within the body. Qi circulates in patterns that are closely related to the nervous and vascular system. It is this qi that is core to the practice of acupuncture and other oriental healing arts.

Calming the Mind – Another aim of practicing Tai Chi is to foster a calm and tranquil mind, as we focus on the precise execution of the Tai Chi forms. Tai Chi is commonly referred to as moving meditation. The slow graceful movements can be used as a meditation to provide a peaceful focus, to quiet the mind and to engender a deep sense of relaxation that helps release inner tensions

I try to depict stillness and serenity with the picture below of a feather floating on water.