Corrigendum:
The Oct-Dec 2019 Print issue mentions the Resort as Coco Body Hithi. Please read it as Coco Bodu Hithi. We regret the error.
TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD IS FULL OF STRESS AND DISRUPTIONS. IT’S NOT EASY TO FIND TIME TO EXERCISE. IT’S NO EASIER TO FIND QUIET PERIODS OF TIME TO SORT OUT YOUR PRIORITIES. HOW MANY OF US CAN SAY WE HAVE A STRESS-FREE LIFE? THERE ARE NO MIRACLE CURES BUT THE ANCIENT CHINESE ART OF TAI CHI CAN HELP IN MANY WAYS, SAYS MASTER SHANSHAN HE.
Tai chi, also called tai chi chuan and is a traditional Chinese martial art. Originally developed for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that’s now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions. Tai chi has many different styles. Each style may subtly emphasize various tai chi principles and methods. There are variations within each style. Some styles may focus on health maintenance, while others focus on the martial arts aspect of tai chi. The major ones being Chen, Yang, Wu , another Wu （武） (actually two different words in Chinese) and Sun. Each style has its own unique features, although most styles share similar essential principles.
WHO CAN DO TAI CHI?
Everyone can practice TaiChi . You can practice tai chi if you are fat or thin, healthy or just out of bed after major surgery, young, middle-aged or very old. Tai chi is commonly performed as a low-impact exercise, which means it won’t put much pressure on your bones and joints. Most people should be able to do it. Tai chi is becoming more and more popular among young people in China , not just the older ones. As I know, the youngest one practice taichi in China,who is 4 years old.Tai chi helps people to cope with the ever-increasing responsibilities of life, reduce stress and get a competitive edge in business. Still others use tai chi to develop inner discipline, open their heart and mind, and unleash their spiritual potential.
WHY TRY TAI CHI?
When learned correctly and performed regularly, tai chi can be a positive part of an overall approach to improving your health. The benefits of tai chi may include:
• DECREASED STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
• IMPROVED MOOD
• IMPROVED AEROBIC CAPACITY
• INCREASED ENERGY AND STAMINA
• IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY, BALANCE AND AGILITY
• IMPROVED MUSCLE STRENGTH AND DEFINITION
More research is needed to determine the health benefits of tai chi. Some evidence indicates that tai chi may also help:
• ENHANCE QUALITY OF SLEEP
• ENHANCE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
• HELP LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
• IMPROVE JOINT PAIN
• IMPROVE SYMPTOMS OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
• IMPROVE OVERALL WELL-BEING
• REDUCE RISK OF FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH TAI CHI?If you are interested in Tai chi,and you have no idea what is Taichi you can learn it online or buy a Dvd to learn at first.This is the easier and more convenient way to know about Taichi.You can do it even at home. But If you want to partice Taichi seriously ant get more benefit from it,you have to find a good taichi coach to give you professional guidance.
HOW TO CONTINUE MAINTAINING THE BENEFITS TO TAI CHI?
Like all qigong programs, tai chi relaxes and regulates the central nervous system, releasing physical and emotional stress, and promoting mental and emotional well-being. Tai chi tones the muscles while releasing knots and tension in them. During each workout the movements of tai chi exercise every muscle, ligament, tendon and joint of the body. The continuous movements cause every lymph node and internal organ to be massaged, and all the body’s internal pumps to be energized. Most Western medical studies focus on tai chi’s health and relaxation benefits. Tai chi energizes the whole body and gives you more chi (qi), the energy that makes you feel alive, well and vital. It gives you a great physical sense of how chi gets embodied into your movement and enables you to experience and work with energy in a very subtle, complex manner. Often when first learning a tai chi form you must spend many days, weeks and months simply learning the external movements. At some point once you have learned the external movements so that you don’t have to ‘think’ about doing them, you can then start to focus more on sensing the chi flows. Next, once you have the external movements and are starting to feel and sense the internal chi, new possibilities open up to use tai chi for meditation.
MASTER SHANSHAN is a visiting practitioner at Coco Bodu Hithi resorts, Maldives.
Visit www.cococollection.com to know more.