How is Tai Chi different from Kung Fu?
What are the benefits of training Tai Chi?
Are there different types of Tai Chi?
Are weapons used in Tai Chi?
Why are weapons used in Tai Chi?
Is Tai Chi suitable for any age?
1. How is Tai Chi different from Kung Fu?
Tai Chi differs from Kung Fu in its pace. Tai Chi is Kung Fu in slow motion. The body is kept relaxed, the joints loose, the muscles soft, and the breathing is slow and deep. Whereas much of Kung Fu is trained with a partner, Tai Chi is primarily solitary training. Although Tai Chi push hands requires a partner.
2. What are the benefits of training Tai Chi?
The health benefits of Tai Chi are many and varied. Below is listed several of them.
- The correct posture utilized in Tai Chi aids the digestive system and the joints of the body. It can alleviate back pain and headaches.
- Tai Chi benefits the heart, lungs, and muscles. These three systems are the pumps in our body, moving energy, blood, and body fluids.
- Therefore, it is highly effective in maintaining our cardiovascular system. Tai Chi can assist in stabilizing our blood pressure and improve blood circulation.
- Tai Chi improves our immune system.
- Joint mobility is enhanced, thus improving blood flow through them, while avoiding arthritis and other ailments.
- Tai Chi benefits the sympathetic ( fight or flight ) and parasympathetic ( rest and relax ) nervous systems.
- The reproductive systems are exercised during Tai Chi.
- Tai Chi exercises the body, mind, and spirit. It can help you balance your thoughts and emotions, to be calm, and to find stability in our hectic, modern world.
3. Are there different types of Tai Chi?
Yes, there are many styles of Tai Chi. The best known being the Chen and Yang styles, both of which are trained in our school. Other styles include Sun, Wu, and Wu Hao.
4. Are weapons used in Tai Chi?
Yes. Some of the weapons we train with in Tai Chi include the sword and the fan.
5. Why are weapons used in Tai Chi?
Weapons training teaches the student to extend their energy beyond their hands and into the weapon. It also requires stronger concentration of the spirit.
6. Is Tai Chi suitable for any age?
Tai Chi is suitable for all ages, from the young to the elderly. We have students in their teens and right up into their 80’s training within our school!
