Notes on Tai Chi Chuan

Notes
on
Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Institute for Health
Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA)

Tai Chi Chuan is a dynamic form of moving meditation - a transformational movement system - a whole-person/whole-body movement experience which brings body-mind integration and harmony to both body and mind. The mental focus and deliberate, graceful movements leave you centered and energized, and you'll come gently into balance with yourself and those around you. With a Tai Chi practice that is based on Tai Chi Principles , you will build Chi - life force energy and deepen the power of your breath.

A Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) class begins with a traditional Wushu greeting and a complete set of joint warm-ups, followed by the 6 Core + 6 Extension movements of the form. Class ends with a cool-down and Wushu close. Most importantly, movements are taught with the emphasis on Tai Chi principles .

Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) is based on the Sun Style of Tai Chi Chuan. TCA was developed to be a user-friendly but powerful form of Tai Chi - accessible and appropriate for all levels of ability - yet still challenging for all.

TCA has:
- higher stances
- agile stepping
- a large number of joint rotations
- a flow of movement which helps in building Chi
- Chi Kung for healing

As you practice you will enhance your well-being and build and improve:
-- ch'i life-force energy with the slow, continuous movements.
-- strength as you move against resistance
-- internal support and deepen your breathing with the Dan Tien Breathing Method
-- coordination and focus
-- balance - Tai Chi works on the principle of weight transference, and helps to prevent falls.

Tai Chi emphasizes the principles of relaxation and yielding. Developed in China in the last 500 years, Tai Chi borrowed moves from the fighting art of Kung Fu, but slowed the pace and softened this ancient system, emphasizing health and body-mind development over martial applications.

Additional benefits from a Tai Chi practice include the cultivation of:
- agility
- toning
- posture
- circulation
- flexibility
- endurance

Inflammation levels can be lowered, and chronic conditions and symptoms such as arthritis, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and other conditions can be alleviated.

Evidence-based with many published medical studies.
The evidence-based Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program (TCAFPs) was developed by Dr. Paul Lam and the Tai Chi for Health Institute in collaboration with the Arthritis Foundation and has been proven to: improve balance and prevent falls; enhance health and well-being; and reduce pain.

What are the Benefits of Tai Chi?
Dr. Paul Lam

The secret to the receiving the many benefits from Tai Chi
are through understanding and using the
Essential Principles.

Tai Chi for Arthritis has been supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov), the National Council on Aging (NCOA.org) and Arthritis Foundations and health departments around the world.

The CDC and the Mayo Clinic recommend Tai Chi for Arthritis as an intervention for fall prevention.

Many published medical studies have shown the health-improvement benefits of the Tai Chi programs from the globally respected Tai Chi for Health Institute.

Article on Tai Chi for Arthritis from the Arthritis Foundation.

Article on Tai Chi and Qigong from the NIH.

Tai Chi for Parkinson's

Essential Concepts

Sun Lu-tang - the founder of Sun-Style Tai Chi said that the highest level of Tai Ch`i is not being invincible, but to understand the Dao / Tao - nature.
Yin-Yang is the symbol of Taoism, and represents the basic Chinese concept of life as a circle of change. It is is the interplay of opposites - the intelligent interaction of opposing forces, rather than the unintelligent meeting and conflict between opposing forces.

Examples of Opposites are:
- Hard / Soft
- Substantial / Insubstantial
- Movement / Stillness
- Internal / External. Internal includes the inner force, mind and spirit. External includes the movements, posture and body. Only when you can unify the internal and external can your body move as one complete integrated unit without interruption. When you are focused, your mind and spirit will unite with the external movements. Body-Mind Integration.

Tai Chi or T'ai Chi (Wade Giles spelling) = the Supreme Ultimate - The fusion of Yin and Yang into a single Ultimate, similiar to Yuj / Union in Yoga. A better translation is Great Polarity - the abiding principle of the universe - as in yin-yang, male-female, positive-negative. It is represented by the Taijitu symbol.

A state where Yin and Yang are in equilibrium, where the firm and yielding are in perfect balance, and where motion and stillness are fully integrated.
- Chuan / Ch'uan / Quan = Fist or System of Defense
- Tai Chi Chuan / T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Wade Giles spelling) / Taijiquan (Pinyin spelling) = Supreme Ultimate Fist

So Tai Chi Chuan is the system of self-defense based upon the principle of the great polarity.

Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and the martial arts. While the literal translation of Qi / Chi / Ch'i is breath, air or gas, it is frequently translated as life energy, vital energy, life force or energy flow. Chi enhances healing and brings improved health and vitality when it flows through your body.
- Gong = exercise which requires regular practice to become proficient in.
- Chi Kung / Qigong (Pinyin spelling) = the practice of developing life force energy.

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