The Athlete

Tai Chi- A Healing Martial Art

Tai Chi is a combined movement of your muscles and the body in a graceful and synchronized manner. Although Tai Chi had its birth in martial arts, this art form is a very mellow form of exercise. As this does not require much physical activity, it is very popular with the elderly who love the swaying movements.

The Chinese workout of Tai Chi believes in improving the flow of the vital energy throughout your body, which produces a feeling of calmness. This sense of satisfaction often lightens your stress levels and acts as a preventive for most ailments. All through out the session, you keep shifting your total body weight rhythmically and gracefully with each movement weaving into the next. Most of these involve postures with bent knees.

Deep inside, Tai Chi believes that any ailments or diseases have their origin in the improper or blocked flow of the vital body energy. Hence, the total exercise lays stress on proper breathing and the flow of air in to and from your body. This helps in reducing your blood pressure levels and improving your physiological health.

Tai Chi begins with light exercises and a short meditation. You then progress slowly into sequences, then increase the speed but never aggressively. You need to pay maximum attention to your posture and breathing. You can end with a short stint of meditation.

You need to take permission from your physician before starting out on Tai Chi. It is better to perform the same with the help of a qualified instructor. Inform your instructor in case of any uneasiness, pain or problems with your arms or knees. Daily sessions of short durations are the best for your body to adapt to this art form.

Tai Chi helps in strengthening of the connective tissues in your body for better muscular coordination. This is beneficial to lessen your chronic problems and other woes of the knees and legs.