The working of the Tai Chi

There are two kind of the Tai Chi practitioners nowadays. The majority of them practice a style of Tai Chi only for the health conserving effect of it, but there an increasing number of them who learning Tai Chi as a martial art. In the Tai Chi Chuan the Daojin (The concentrated usage of the inner energy), the Tuina (Deep breathing exercises), Jingluo (Meridian theory) and the arcing and spiraling movements are united. We who practicing Tai Chi are try to circulate our inner energy (Chi) in the meridians through our movements, and to fill up our energy reservoirs. When our body stores enough energy it can be collected and focused into a punch or a kick we can multiply it’s effect. The arcing and spiraling movements help to divert the possible attacks to the sides and to make it easier to attack the center of the gravity pushing or pulling or to neutralize the opponent in other ways. To perfect the techniques we use the so called sticking and pushing hand exercises. The specialty of them is that while practicing we can polish our skin reflex and how to divert the force of the attacker. Of course complete physical and mental relaxation is needed when practicing to get these results.

The ones only learning Tai Chi to improve health can benefit from these exercises too, because when practicing the body is moving thoroughly and everyone can benefit from it regardless of sex and age. The Japanese master Kanazawa (9. Dan Shotokan Karate) phrased the positive effect of the Tai Chi in an interview as:

“- As a Japanese Karate master why do you practice Tai Chi for 30 years?
- Because Karate can strengthen your bones and muscles, but the joints and ligaments can only be strengthened by Tai Chi.”

The Tai Chi was created to mirror the nature in it’s movements and system. So as the high tide follows the low tide, the night follows the day so in the Tai Chi we defend with a roll back movement and attack with a forward movement. If you practice this movements slowly they will encumber and strengthen the joints gradually. Naturally – if we practice slowly – our state of minde will change, that’s why Tai Chi is called moving meditation.