Tai Chi Chuan is a traditional Chinese
art in physical culture and has been very popular among the people since
ancient days. Centuries of practice have testified to its value in preservation of health and
prevention of illness. Now as part of physical exercise therapy in clinical practice, it
has been widely reported to be not only health preserving but actually
beneficial to patients with high blood pressure, stomach or intestinal
ulcers, heart trouble, TB and other ailments. In fact, China has been
one of the first to apply physical exercise in
therapy and health preservation.
Physical exercises like Tai Chi Chuan are
based on the theory that a constantly active body is free from
indigestion, circulatory trouble and other physical problems, just like
the door hinge which is free from rust or rot. In practicing Tai Chi
Chuan, not only are all the muscles and joints in motion, but breathing
and movement of the diaphragm must be regulated to the tempo, and the
practitioner is required to remain calm yet fully concentrated. This
will produce a unique sedative effect upon the central nervous system,
which in turn helps to activate or improve the functions of other body
systems.
What Tai Chi Chuan is able to do for the
Nervous system…
In practicing Tai Chi Chuan, one is
required to be calm, fully concentrated and able to direct full
attention to any part of the body, which in itself is good for the mind.
Furthermore, in Action, one has to move his eyes, upper limbs, torso and
lower limbs smoothly without discord or abrupt stops. Owing to the
complexity of some movements, one must have a good sense of control over
the body and sense of balance, which can only be achieved by intense
activity of the brain, and thus fully mobilizes the central nervous
system as well as all other systems and organs. Experiments prove that
even before the exertion of action, one’s mood alone may affect the
chemical content of the blood, dynamic process of circulation, gaseous
metabolism, etc. To patients of chronic diseases, a buoyant mood is all
the more important, since it activates all manner of physiological
mechanisms that are conducive to recuperation.
What Tai Chi Chuan is able to do for the
Skeleton, Muscles and Joints.
Tai Chi Chuan is very beneficial for the
skeleton, muscles and joint of the body. For example, the spinal cord is
particularly aided by Tai Chi Chuan. The practitioner must keep their
chest in, waist and back relaxed, and let the spinal column at the waist
section be the "primary axis of movement." This clearly shows
how much all the movements are centered around the waist. Regular
practice will no doubt maintain a good spinal column position and
organic structure. The Tai Chi Chuan movements are smoothly linked
together, mobilizing every joint, which is a deterrent to aging.
Derived from Taijiquan in 88 Forms
compiled by Victor Wu.
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