Tai Chi

 

The ancient art of tai chi uses gentle flowing movements to reduce the stress of today's busy lifestyles and improve health.

A class in tai chi is being taught at First Lutheran church.  We have done 2 of the 7 weeks of lessons.   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.
Tai chi is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. 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.

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.

We start out with Temple exersises. Prayer wheel, picking fruit and crane flaps its wings to name a few.  These movements imporve flexibility, balance leg strength and concentration.

Then we go to our routine.  So far we have learned preparation, bow stance, combing the horses mane and one I can't remember the name for but it is my favorite.  I catch my self doing it a lot at home. 

Then it is cool down both standing and sitting in a chair.

Tai chi is the most popular exercise in the world, it is something that nearly everyone can do and mental stimulation of learning the art encourtage a person to continue this ancient art and exercise as part of healthy lifestyle.

Do you remember Road House, the movie.  Patrick Swayze was doing tai chi in that movie.  It was the scene next to the river where he was staying.  What woman wouldn't like to watch Patrick work out on the big screen.

As perusual I am not good at it but it surely feels good when I do the moves.