Japanese Fighting Styles Article
The Graceful Dance of Tai Chi Martial Arts
For centuries this ancient martial art has been taught for three different purposes. Tai chi has been taught as a martial art for defense, an exercise, and to improve the energy flow in the body. Slow and gentle movements are used in the Tai Chi martial arts as itsą objective is to use correct form and feeling with every movement that your make with your body.
Strength, flexibility, and stamina are what The Tai Chi martial arts promote by using little or no impact with the entire body. Coordination and balance are enhanced by linking the mind and body to move as one. The Tai Chi martial arts are also a very good exercise for the working out of joints in the body. This is perfect if you have stiff joints.
Though Tai Chi originated as a martial art, there are very little defensive, offensive, or striking techniques involved in this ancient art. Tai Chi is an exercise that works joints in the body as well as major muscles by using a breathing and movement exercise that circulates the energy or chi inside the body. Tai Chi martial arts is a common belief among the Chinese to be a preventative exercise to help stop diseases.
While practicing this form of martial arts, think of your body as a puppet, keeping the body very relaxed and soft. By focusing on the energy flow, you focus on each movement that you make. By moving with focus and relaxation energy is allowed flow through your entire body.
There is always a constant movement, even though the body remains relaxed and soft. The never ending flow of energy that runs through your body is what keeps you moving. When making a movement little or no energy is used in reality. Making everything seem weightless is accomplished by using the chi inside your body.
The combat technique of the Tai Chi martial arts involves using the energy of your opponent against them. The Tai Chi martial artists allow their opponent to tire themselves out by expending their energy on attack movements. Then when there is little energy left for attack or defense, the stylist of the tai chi martial arts can attack using little effort.
Being one of the oldest martial arts styles, it can be very difficult in finding a dojo to teach the ancient Tai Chi martial arts. So, if you are lucky enough to find someone that can each this ancient art to you, then take the opportunity and train. There is a lot about your spiritual well being and the chi energy that can be learned from Tai Chi.
