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Tai Chi Ch'uan is an ancient health and martial
art form of exercise which includes aspects of meditation, breathing,
stretching and relaxation that promote physical, mental and spiritual
vitality in people of all ages.The
graceful movements of Tai Chi develop and strengthen all parts of the
body, improve balance and counteract the effects of stress. Tai
Chi is also a unique system of self defence.Through regular practice of Tai Chi Chuan you
will soon feel more energized, calm and positive towards life in
general. This ancient Chinese art of body and mind harmony can be
described as a combination of yoga and calisthenics. The result of
its practice include the health benefits of both, allied with the
restorative effects of meditation.
It is often described as moving
meditation.
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HEALTH ASPECTS
Tai Chi is a Taoist exercise, and was developed to help Taoists
achieve one of their major goals, namely longevity. Stories and
legends abound in China of monks living for extraordinary
lengths of time, some achieving immortality and
transmogrification. This may be possible if one devotes a
lifetime to rigorous self purification, however, the average
person should aim at maintaining a healthy body and mind for his
or her allotted span of time.
1. Circulation of Blood
By utilizing the "second heart" and changing postures, this
helps to prevent problems such as arteriosclerosis, thrombosis
and hypertension - ailments associated with old age.
2. Circulation of Chi (breath)
According to traditional Chinese medicine, blocked Chi causes
disease. Note: Blood flow and Chi flow are very closely
connected.
3. Chi Kung
Overlaps 1 and 2 above in that it is concerned with breathing
and oxygenating the blood and directing the chi.
4. Meditation
To help alleviate stress and tension and cultivate alpha waves
in the brain. Relaxation of the body and mind.
5. Correct Use of the Body
Whilst teaching you to use your waist, it gently lubricates the
joints, stretches the muscles and twists the spine. It also
promotes balance and reflexes, and aids in preventing accidents.
6. Assimilation and Elimination
Undigested food can cause ailments such as cramps, indigestion
and constipation or, more seriously, ulcers and stomach cancer.
Deep breathing and certain postures are most beneficial here.
7. Idea, Spirit and Energy
Health is much more than taking care of the body - the mind is
probably even more important. This counters psychosomatic
illness, poor self image, boredom, etc,
To obtain and maintain good health, one must have a healthy
lifestyle. Basically three factors are involved. (i) a
sensible diet (ii) regular exercise, and (iii) limiting and
coping with stress.
You must take a holistic approach to both your body and your
lifestyle. |
MY APPROACH TO TEACHING
TAI CHI:
Wednesdays 6 to 7 pm is the time set for beginners classes. Every
February (1st Wednesday) and August (1st Wednesday) I accept enrolments for beginners.
YOUR JOURNEY IN EASY STEPS:
I teach Wu Style Tai Chi,
which consist of 108 postures (the Long Form) broken down into single,
clear movements. First you will learn the Square Form, later rounded up
as a continuous Long Flowing River (comparable to the activity of a silk
worm reeling silk).
It takes close to a Semester
to learn the 108 postures to a reasonably competent level for beginners.
Once learned, the Tai Chi Form must be practiced once daily (approx 20
minutes) for optimum results. This gentle but intense exercise
lubricates the joints and strengthens the body while calming the mind in
a manner similar to meditation, with obvious beneficial health results.
At the end of a Semester you will be able to move to the intermediate
class on Mondays 6 to 7 pm, where the Tai Chi Form is further refined
and the teaching becomes personalized to cover the wide range of
experiences encountered by individuals of different physical and
psychological inclination.
ABOUT WU STYLE TAI CHI:
This style of Tai Chi is rather energetic
and not suitable for people over sixty; there are, however, exceptions to
every rule - I have had students over sixty with more strength of
character and determination than many a young person.
NATURAL PROGRESSION:
Ideally you should practice hard while
young, then slow down in accordance with age.
WANT MORE?:
Ambitious young /and not so
young students eager to learn the Martial Art aspect of Tai Chi will
eventually move to the advanced class on Mondays (from 6 to 8.30 pm), where you
will practice higher levels of the Form, Push Hands, Technical Exercises
and Boxing routines.
THE JOURNEY: A
journey begins with the first step; to get started in your quest for a
better and healthier lifestyle ring me on: 03 9489 0479 or make an
INQUIRY as per CONTACT INFORMATION.
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