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Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise practiced for health, relaxation, and vitality. It is a system of movement, meditation and self-defense. Tai Chi is gentle enough to be practiced by young and old alike, yet is also a powerful energizing exercise. Today, Tai Chi is practiced throughout the world as a way to reduce stress, and to improve relaxation, health and fitness.
How can I benefit from studying Tai Chi?
Tai Chi has many proven health benefits including the following:
• improves balance and stability
• increases circulation
• reduces stress
• calms the emotions
• develops concentration
• improves posture
• lowers blood pressure
• promotes relaxation
• strengthens bones
• increases flexibility and range of motion
For the Chinese, tai chi is practiced primarily to increase and balance the flow of our internal energy called qi (chi).
Tai Chi is also a non-aggressive form of self-defense. As a martial art, tai chi is based on principles such as yielding to force and redirecting force.
The full name of tai chi, also spelled tai chi and taiji, is tai chi chuan. Alternative spellings include taijiquan and tai chi ch'uan. The literal meaning of tai chi chuan is "supreme ultimate fist" which means supreme ultimate boxing or martial art.
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