Tai Chi is a martial art also known as “Chinese shadow boxing.” Tai Chi originated in China. Today, it is practiced by millions of men and women around the globe, making it one of the most popular and well-known martial arts in the world. For this reason, we would like to use this article to explain what Tai Chi is and share some interesting facts and figures on the subject with you.
Goals of Tai Chi
Most people practice tai chi for its health benefits. Many also use it to meditate or simply to relax. Very few people practice tai chi because they see it as a way of life or actually regard it as a martial art and, as such, may want to use it for self-defense.
Another goal is to improve posture, thereby relieving pressure on the joints. Tai chi is intended to support the immune and cardiovascular systems and to enhance one’s sense of balance and body control. In addition, tai chi is said to significantly improve strength and flexibility.
What do I need for tai chi?
You should wear flat shoes—ideally with a thin sole—when practicing tai chi. However, there is no specific clothing you need to wear. Comfortable pants and shirts are definitely recommended, though.
Practicing Tai Chi
In most cases, each woman and each man performs the exercises on their own, as an individual. Often, one is supposed to imagine an opponent against whom one is fighting in one’s mind. Several individual movements come together to form a complete sequence. Connoisseurs refer to these individual movements as “forms,” and the order in which they are performed plays a central role.
Examples of such images include the “simple whip” or “The white crane spreads its wings.” Depending on the length of the sequence of images, practicing tai chi can take several hours or just a few minutes.
In addition to the individual forms, there are also types of tai chi that are performed with a partner. However, to practice these exercises, one must already have a good sense of one’s body and a certain degree of relaxation; for this reason, partner forms are recommended only for advanced practitioners.
Some Principles of Tai Chi
The practitioner's head should always be relaxed and kept upright. The waist and back should be kept straight but not tense. In tai chi, it is recommended to focus on inner intention rather than muscular strength, to emphasize flowing movements, and to maintain a sense of calm.
