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T'AI CHI CH'ÜAN
Cultivating Extraordinary Healing & Vital Life Energy

T'ai Chi Ch'üan (or Taijiquan, translated as "supreme ultimate boxing") has become very popular in the last 20 years, as the baby boomers age and T'ai Chi's reputation for ameliorating the effects of aging becomes more well-known. Although today it is often promoted and practiced for the purposes of health and longevity (recent medical studies support its effectiveness), historically T'ai Chi had been regarded as a martial art. Some also call it a form of moving meditation, and T'ai Chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many of the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

The authentic study of T'ai Chi Ch'üan involves three primary themes:
(1) health; (2) meditation; (3) martial art applications.

T'ai Chi training involves learning solo routines (forms), and two person routines (push hands), as well as acupressure-related manipulations taught by traditional schools. Other training exercises include weapons training employing the straight sword, the spear, the lance and several others. In addition, breathing exercises (nei kung or more commonly, qigong) enhances qi or "breath energy" in coordination with physical movement.

The solo form should take the students through a complete, natural, range of motion over their centre of gravity. Accurate, repetitive practice of the solo routine is said to retrain posture, increase circulation throughout the student’s body (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.), maintain flexibility in joints, and further familiarize students with the martial application sequences implied by the forms.

Health Benefits
Studies have shown that long-term T'ai Chi practice has beneficial effects promoting:

balance control and reducing the risk of falls in elders

improved cardiovascular fitness & respiratory function

reduced pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects

flexibility

reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

weight loss (tai chi's gentle, low impact movements surprisingly burn more calories than surfing and nearly as many as downhill skiing!)

relief to sufferers of heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, arthritis and multiple sclerosis

improved immune system's function

reduction in the incidence of anxiety, depression, and overall mood disturbance

A pilot study has found evidence that Tai Chi and Qigong help reduce the severity of diabetes

Instruction:
Oklahoma City Metro Area

External Sites

Resources

MartialTraditions.com

Holistic Healing Directory - Qigong & Tai Chi Internet Resources

Tai Chi Magazine

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