WHAT IS TAI CHI CHUAN?
Simply put, Tai Chi Chuan means Grand Ultimate Fist. Chi means energy. Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese form of meditation in martial art movement based on Taoist philosophy. It combines mental concentration and coordinated breathing with a series of slow, graceful, choreographed exercises. Tai Chi can be practiced for meditative and health purposes and with increased speed the movements can be used for self defense. In practice one allows the body weight and center of gravity to sink down into the abdominal area and the feet. This relaxes the breathing and quiets the mind, which then in turn regulates the heartbeat, and other muscular, neurological and glandular functions. Tai Chi Chuan can be used on its own as an exercise system or to enhance any other program of physical activity.
