By Seema Chowdhry Sharma

THE mention of martial arts usually conjures up images of high kicks, loud yells and hands slicing through the air effortlessly. It is a world of white or black uniforms adorned with green, blue, brown, yellow belts. But not all forms of martial arts are lethal, revenge-taking mechanisms, never mind what ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ or zillions of low-budget Bruce Lee and Jean Claude Van Damme flicks seem to imply.

If you are looking for an ancient martial arts form that integrates the body, mind and spirit, then Tai Chi is for you. “The highest form of martial arts, it combines physical exercise, breathing techniques and meditation. The slow, relaxed flowing movements of opening and closing forms, advance and retreat, attack and defence, channelise energy to attain a high degree of fitness, both mental and physical,” says George Thomas, who runs the Tai Chi Academy centres in the South.

Tai Chi includes stepping, shifting weight and rotating. Throughout the session, your breathing has to be deep, yet relaxed.

Shadow Play

“Tai Chi, also called Tajiquan or Shadow Boxing, is also a devastatingly potent martial arts system,” says Rashid Ansari, an international master instructor who holds classes at Soulcentre, Delhi. “It has been heavily influenced by Taoist philosophy and can perhaps best be symbolised by the concept of Yin and the Yang — a balance of opposites, wherein a part of each resides in the other.

When this equilibrium is disturbed, there is an imbalance. Tai Chi looks like a slow graceful dance, but behind the deceptively simple movements is a wealth of philosophy, medicine and science. Ultimately Tai Chi is all about balance and harmony,” says George.

It improves health by clearing snarl-ups in the flow of chi, the vital force that flows through our body through specific pathways — thereby restoring balance. Good health is considered a reflection of an energy balance and harmony in the whole body while blocked energy manifests itself in the form of an illness or disease.

“Perhaps the most difficult aspect of Tai Chi is to relax, yield, and let go,” says Rashid. “Most of us tend to believe that relaxation is akin to collapse or weakness. Or being slouched in front of the TV.” Today’s hectic lifestyle forces us to cling to the notion of agitation — whether external or internal. “Tai Chi helps us realise that relaxation means not being agitated or tense while at the same time, being completely aware,” says Rashid.

Healthy Payback
“If practised purely as an exercise, Tai Chi is known to increase the activity of the glands, nourish and strengthen the muscles, facilitate joint action, stimulate the nervous system, and cure breathing disorders... all this without placing undue stress on the heart,” says Rashid. “It has achieved great results in cases of high blood pressure, heart disease, spleen dysfunction, arthritis, backaches, insomnia and asthma. Tai Chi is a good way of assisting recovery and is used as a therapy by itself,” adds George.

Specifically For You
What makes Tai Chi especially beneficial to women is that it’s a low-impact activity. One key principle (which comes from Taoism) is wu-wei, (or the action of non-action), which refers to going with the flow — not forcing things. “The movements are slow, soft and at a pace comfortable to you and seem almost tranquil and dance-like,” says Rashid.

There is emphasises on bone strength and bone-generated force over muscle-generated force. This way, it helps prevent osteoporosis, making it particularly advantageous to women. It can lower stress levels, improve concentration and increase energy.

The Tai Chi meditation techniques, such as breathing, focus one’s thoughts and movements on a central point. It helps train the mind to direct energy to any point in the body to heal tissues and improve circulation. Women can also use this technique to discover new levels of intuitive sensitivity and even healing abilities.

So what are you waiting for? Enrol yourself at the nearest Tai Chi centre.
Tai Chi Centres In Your City
DELHI
Soulcentre
Phone: 26013706
Tailspin
Phone: 24643239, 24658548

CHENNAI
The Tai Chi Academy
Phone: 2374 3257, 2374 6546
BANGALORE
The Tai Chi Academy
Phone: 98441 18303

HYDERABAD
The Tai Chi Academy
Phone: 31008784

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