As the sun beyond the horizon, tai chi practitioners from around the world gather in parks, along the shores of the beach, and just about anywhere inside or outside, to flow through a sequence of movements that bring balance and inner peace Home.
Formerly known as Tai Chi Chuan ?? which translates as "supreme ultimate fist" ?? Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art practiced with "internal power" rather than the external power. The slow, circular movements are practiced mindfully and focusing on experience internally.
the origins of tai chi were heavily influenced by the philosophy of Taoism and traditional Chinese medicine. More natural philosophy than a religion, Taoism in the forces of nature are an expression otherwise known as the yin and yang. the integration of this principle in a martial art, tai chi seeks to balance brute force with soft defense.
the soft approach is a tai chi exercise and perfect mind for cancer patients. the cancer treatment in the world is filled with messages telling patients to lead a war against their cancer, which can make them feel at war with their own bodies. Tai chi is particularly beneficial for people affected by cancer, because it teaches people to peacefully and mindfully respond to forces beyond their control.
"In the Taoist view opposing forces, yin and yang act on the world, and tai chi puts them in harmony. Examples of yin and yang are the light and dark, male and female, up and down, day and night, hot and cold. the human body is governed by this game, and movements contain both yin elements and yang, "says master tai chi Arthur Rosenfeld, author of the new book "Tai Chi ?? The perfect exercise. Finding Health, Happiness, Balance, and strength "
Science proves what practitioners have known for centuries: The benefits of tai chi in the body and mind are multiple and accessible to people of all ages. studies show that the gentle martial art can improve sleep and quality of life and boost immunity and bone mineral density.
Balance Medicine
the roots tai chi are grounded in 12th century China, where the practice first slowly spread from village to village for many years. During the cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 70s, tai chi was banned, forcing people to practice in secret. the lessons, though hidden from view, have been preserved, and now China recommends tai chi for its citizens as an exercise to improve mental and physical health.
supposedly created by a Taoist tai chi was developed as a mild form of defense to conserve energy a practitioner while deferring peacefully beating an opponent. Modern forms of tai chi embody a graceful fluid movement to balance the energy of a person, called chi or qi.
Today, the martial art is considered a form of common mind -Corps medicine and is enjoyed by millions of people around the word. In 07, about 2 million Americans have been practicing tai chi in the previous year.
Other practices influenced by Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture and qigong, are also seeking to balance the chi energy. The concept of energy is also observed in Ayurveda, a system developed in India, which refers to the chi energy as "prana". The power of subtle energy on overall health is a unifying principle among most forms of complementary and alternative medicine.
evidence is in practice
Before modern medicine started to create pills and machines to treat diseases, natural therapies introduced the ill health together. The principles are now living through holistic medicine, which aims to bring the whole body in a balanced state of health.
Although pharmaceuticals tend to receive most of the funds available for medical research, a surprising amount of studies were conducted on tai chi in the last 20 years. These studies have shown that tai chi
- can reduce falls and improve sleep in older people
- bolsters quality of life (QOL) and increases tolerance to exercise in patients with heart failure
- Strengthens physical functioning in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels in people with hypertension.
- Increases in bone mineral density.
- Reduces the symptoms of patients with fibromyalgia and improves their quality of life.
- improves balance and functional capacity in patients with Parkinson's disease and reduce their risk of falls.
in a study of breast cancer survivors, tai chi improved shoulder muscle strength, which could also be useful for patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma because the shoulder muscles support the thoracic organs most affected by these cancers.
A historical study on lung cancer survivors found that tai chi has the potential to increase human immunity against tumor formation. The study included a group who practiced tai chi for 16 weeks and a control group that did not. The control group saw an unfavorable reduction in T cells (large cells that support the immune system) and an increase in cortisol (a stress-related hormone). The survivors who practiced tai chi for 16 weeks showed no reduction in the number of T cells and no increase in cortisol levels. Based on these results, the researchers reported that Tai Chi can help balance cellular immunity and increase immunity against cancer.
An ancient Fix for a modern world
"In this high tech world that is all about speed, greed and instant gratification, tai chi is the antidote to us back to balanced health, "Rosenfeld said.
There is temptation everywhere to go faster, do more in less time, or opt for a quick fix ?? that too often serve as a Band -aid or as a distraction from a deeper problem.
Take the trigger, for example. Everyone face the disease undoubtedly enjoys relaxation, but this state of peace seems to elude many Americans. in 2010, over 20 percent of adults in the US have taken medication for conditions like anxiety and depression. with all the pressure from society to keep up with the fast American lifestyle, he is not surprising that so many people choose to take a pill rather than maintaining a practice to promote natural relaxation.
Talk to someone who has tried both ways, and they offer a testament to the difference. natural relaxation which is obtained from feeling profoundly different from that of a state artificially produced relaxation. The ancient permeates and hard, and it provides temporary relief.
In a world of impermanence and constant change, for example, artificial temporary relaxation is a cruel tease that can cause more frustration. But there are real, lasting solutions to this widespread vexation. Practice mind-body, such as tai chi teach the tools we all need to regain our natural state of balance and peace.
Have you even tried tai chi? Or have you tried other complementary or alternative therapies? Let us know on Facebook.
