Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan, also called Tai Chi, is an ancient Chinese martial art. It is also your passport to better health and lifetime fitness.

If you're looking for another way to reduce stress, consider Tai Chi (TIE-chee). Tai chi is sometimes described as "meditation in motion" because it promotes serenity through gentle movements - connecting the mind and body. Originally developed in ancient China for self-defense, Tai Chi evolved into a graceful form of exercise that's now used for stress reduction and to help with a variety of other health conditions.

To do Tai Chi, you perform a series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.

Tai Chi has many different styles, such as Yang and Wu. Each style may have its own subtle emphasis on various Tai Chi principles and methods. There are also variations within each style. Some may focus on health maintenance, while others focus on the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi.

The result of all this variation is that there are more than 100 possible movements and positions with Tai Chi, many of which are named for animals or nature. Regardless of the variation, all forms of Tai Chi include rhythmic patterns of movement that are coordinated with breathing to help you achieve a sense of inner calm. The concentration required for Tai Chi forces you to live in the present moment, putting aside distressing thoughts.

Nowdays, Tai Chi Chuan becomes more and more popular in the world. It is not just a practice to keep your health. It is also used in many action movies, such as The Matrix starred by Keanu Reeves and Rush Hour starred by Jacky Chan.