If you’re looking for numerous health benefits, Yoga has it all. Through its breathing exercises, meditation practices, strength exercises and stretching components. Similar to Tai Chi, both have the main three components — exercise, meditation and breathing.
Beaucoup write-ups about Yoga — its different kinds and surprising benefits have been already discussed in our previous articles. This time, we will assimilate and read up on everything we need to know about Why Tai Chi is as good as CrossFit.
For some of us, all it takes in getting the motivation for a tough workout is a pair of shoes. Some like good music and a sufficient exercise area. However, many require workout accessories to help us. Even if you’re just going to the park to do practise it, an accessory workout like water bottle is anything more appreciated before, during and after working out.
The Definition and History
Tai Chi Chuan (also written as Taijiquan) is an ancient Chinese form of exercise — a fighting art. It was Zhang San Feng, a Taoist Monk, who accredited as the Tai Chi creator. Its origins date back over 700 years, some say even up to 1500 years.
The philosophy is simple yet profound, in short, the idea that everything consists of two opposing forces that harmonize with each other to create a whole. As The Tai Chi Classics say “If one part of the body moves, the entire body moves”.
The definition and history is courtesy of Tai Chi Association of Colorado Springs.
What Is Tai Chi?
As much as Yoga can be an effective exercise, Tai Chi is one of the most effective exercises out there. Especially when talking about exercises for the health of mind and body. In this practice, you don’t need weights and it’s a low-intensity one.
It has it all from meditation to an integral exercise for all parts of the body and the mind. With consistent practice, practitioners will be able to feel the internal energy and it will lead them to better health and wellness.
5 Major Styles
- Chen
- Yang
- Wu
- Hao (Wu)
- Combination Styles
“Over time, we see people who do tai chi achieve similar levels of fitness as those who walk or do other forms of physical therapy,” said Dr Michael Irwin, a professor of behavioural sciences and director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA.
“One of the most striking things we’ve found is that [tai chi’s] physiological impacts can’t be explained by its physical activity component,” Irwin says. It’s the mindful, meditative quality of tai chi that makes it so compelling, and that may explain the practice’s broad benefits. Via Time.
The Benefits
Being known as a gentle art, Tai Chi can be practised by anyone, no matter what age you are. Numerous studies via Tai Chi for Health Institute, have shown it improves muscular strength, flexibility, and fitness. Improve immunity, relieve pain and improve quality of life.
In addition to these components, its movements emphasize weight transference to improve balance and prevent falls.
Tai Chi is truly an art embracing the mind, body and spirit. Practising it can bring you the harmony of the world and nature.