Tai Chi

TaiChi is an ancient art and practiced with soft slow movements. The benefits are health and relaxation; TaiChi can be done by people of all ages and physical abilities. It requires no special equipment. All you need is comfortable clothing and soft footwear. It can be done with bare feet also.

The slow, external movements help to stimulate the internal organs, by 
promoting the flow of internal energy called Qi (Chi).

The definition of the words Tai Chi also applies to the Yin & Yang symbol.

Tai = Supreme

Chi = Ultimate

Tai chi is based on the Taoist belief that good health results from balanced chi, or life force. An imbalance in or obstruction of the chi is said to result in health problems. According to this belief, chi can be made up of varying degrees of yin and yang--yin representing qualities such as passivity, darkness, moisture, and cold; yang associated with such qualities as activity, light, dryness, and heat. In accordance with this belief system, the forms are practiced in order to stimulate and balance the body's chi. This is done through proper breathing and by learning to keep the muscles active but relaxed, the mind alert but calm, and body movements slow but well coordinated.

The movements of Tai chi are less jarring than those of a low-impact exercise class. In two studies involving rheumatoid arthritis patients, those who practiced Tai chi for 10 weeks had no increase in joint symptoms in comparison with patients who were not involved in Tai chi.