Martial Arts Magazine Australia

By Sam Sujatna of Perth Tai Chi Academy

Tai Chi, it’s been around for centuries. So why is it still relatively unknown, and how can moving slowly be good exercise for you?

Tai Chi is a set of movements that are performed slowly to promote good health. Originating in China centuries ago, this ancient art literally translated means the “Supreme Ultimate” and its main purpose was specifically designed for self-defence in the martial arts.

Martial artists of that period were constantly in search of a fighting style that was unbeatable or the “ultimate” fighting style. What they discovered was that the more relaxed you were during a fight, your thoughts were clear and free from emotional anger thus, being able to respond to attacks more appropriately giving you the upper hand over an opponent whose judgement was clouded by anger.

So, in order to train the body to be more relaxed during fighting, they practised techniques slowly. This relaxed the muscles and prevented them from tensing up, it slowed their breathing down and lowered their heart rate. They discovered other benefits – the overall health of practitioners improved when practicing this type of training.

 Weight Loss

Fitness professionals will recommend higher intensity exercises, such as running to burn more calories faster. A typical one-hour Tai Chi session can burn somewhere between 280-300 calories. Simply put, if you are moving, you are burning calories. If you are burning calories, you are contributing to weight loss.

Fitness

Tai Chi gets you to work on special breathing techniques that help cultivate your ‘Qi’ or ‘Chi’ energy throughout your body. Any kind of breath work is essentially using your heart and lungs, which are the primary organs used to improve your cardio-respiratory system.

 Stress Relief, Focus and Concentration

Tai Chi requires you to move slowly and keep your body relaxed. Moving in such a way gives you the sensation of what can be best described as ‘moving meditation’. When moving in a meditative like state, your mind must concentrate as well as be totally aware of every minute move.

 Ailments and Diseases

As mentioned earlier, Tai Chi movements are designed to cultivate Qi to flow freely throughout the body. If there is an interruption to this ‘flow’, this is believed to be the cause of sickness, both mental and physical. Tai Chi aims to balance the flow of Qi.

Energy Levels

After a Tai Chi session, you will feel totally relaxed and energised. A combination of mind and body exercise, you are left feeling good about yourself, not only physically, but mentally as well.

Confidence and Relationships

When you feel good about yourself, you will discover a new sense of confidence which can lead you into interacting with people around you more positively.

Tai Chi should be practised with full heartedness and sincerity. It is a harmonious combination of art and exercise that provides a deeper level of self-knowledge and spiritual harmony. With constant practice, one will soon find balance and understand their place in the universe.

Sam Sujatna Head Instructor

info@perthtaichi.com.au Mobile: 0415 165 908