The benefits of learning Tai Chi Chuan

Modern urban man suffers from more maladies, syndromes and conditions than their forefathers. Many of these conditions are due to the pressures of work, traffic congestion and other factors contributing to our stress levels, leaving us short of time to take proper exercise. Often we may become victims of mental strain, nervous tension and other stresses, which will detract from their efficiency in their daily work and their enjoyment of life.

Many of these conditions have such a debilitating effect on our health that even when we have finished working, our retirement gift is poor health, which severely limits our ability to enjoy our retirement.

The modern health industry are not short of answers for the condition in which we find ourselves - we can pay €500.00 per year and join a club to walk on one of their machines, or cycle or row nowhere whilst watching a screen showing the latest pop video - to paraphase 'Bones' from StarTrek "It's a life Jim, but not as we know it"!

There are many sports and pastimes, which cater to the desires of those amongst us who wish to acquire a fit and healthy body. However, it is difficult to find a system of exercise suitable for persons of all ages, which requires little or no special equipment, and which can be practiced in a relatively small area either indoors or outdoors.

Tai Chi Chuan is such a system of exercise. Those who practice regularly will develop a healthy body and an alert mind. This improvement in their health will better enable them to concentrate on their routine tasks and to make effective decisions, all of which leads in turn to a greater success in their career or a happier, healthier retirement.

The Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form, with its graceful movements and alert actions, resembles a classical dance. Through the execution of complex manoeuvres in conjunction with deep regulated breathing and the contraction and expansion of the diaphragm, the Hand Form offers a balanced drill to the body's muscles and joints.

Over a period of time, the central nervous system will be stimulated by the tranquil state of mind and dedicated concentration on the movements, which result from the performance of the Hand Form. This serves to increase the well being of all the organs of the body as their efficient functioning depends very largely on a sound central nervous system.

We can look upon the practice of Tai Chi Chuan in two ways. First it is a method of physical exercise. Secondly, it acts as a catalyst in that when performed by our body it causes certain beneficial reactions to take place. As our muscles move they exert pressure on our veins, forcing our blood to flow towards the heart, improving our circulation. Meanwhile, the deep breathing necessary for performance of the Hand Form causes the diaphragm to expand outwards and downwards and contract inwards and upwards, and this movement of the diaphragm gently 'massages' the liver and intestines.

Those who suffer from indigestion will benefit from practicing Tai Chi Chuan, as the exercise, which the stomach muscles receive, will improve the digestion, leading to an increased appetite and the prevention of constipation. Middle-aged and elderly persons will find this of particular comfort.

Since the breathing in Tai Chi Chuan is so deep that there is a greater intake of air into the lungs than usual, a greater amount of oxygen is available for consumption and this increases blood circulation. In so doing it also expands the blood vessels that serve the heart and intestines. Therefore Tai Chi Chuan helps prevent thrombosis and many other ailments of the heart and intestines.

The natural process of human life requires that we take in oxygen and all sorts of nutrients. After various transformations, these are conveyed to different parts of the body, through the medium of the bloodstream. Once they have undergone certain physical and chemical processes, part of this intake of materials is converted to waste products that are then excreted. This process is called 'substitution' and without it the spark of life would be extinguished. If substitution is going on in an inefficient manner, arteriosclerosis and other complaints may result, as is often the case with the elderly. As Tai Chi Chuan strengthens the central nervous system, improves blood circulation, stimulates the operation of the heart and intestines and promotes better digestion, it also safeguards the process of substitution and helps prevent sickness.

The graceful movements of Tai Chi Chuan flow like the running water of streams and rivers, while the tranquillity of mind is that aimed for in Taoism. This tranquillity can lead to changes in our disposition, making us more even-tempered and slow to anger. We can go a stage further. The philosophy of our art is to concentrate on the use of the brain rather then brawn, to let thought guide our actions, and this is a principle we should try to apply to our daily lives.

One may think that these benefits would take years of practice to achieve, but the opposite is true, the benefits start with the first class you attend and continue throughout your years of practice.