Tai Chi Healing

Using Tai Chi as a Complementary Therapy

Tai Chi is best known as a 'soft' or 'internal' Chinese martial art. Internal martial arts, such as Tai Chi, differ from other martial arts in that they use internal 'chi' energy, and the ability to use an opponents own strength against them, rather than ordinary muscular force like other martial arts. Internal martial arts also have a strong emphasis on health, philosophy and spiritual growth; these things are always present in Chinese martial arts, which is one of the main things that sets kung fu apart from other martial arts like kick boxing or Thai-boxing, but they are especially emphasized in internal martial arts like Tai Chi.

In many Tai Chi schools students will not even begin to learn the self-defense applications of what they are learning for many years, and many of the people who go to Tai Chi lessons are there for the health benefits and spiritual associations of the art, rather than to learn how to fight. It is well known that the gentle exercise of Tai Chi routines increases health and fitness without the physical strains associated with more intense exercise, and that the meditative nature of Tai Chi, and its focus on relaxed movements, is great for combating the effects of stress. Many people are also attracted to Tai Chi for its ability to increase a persons vitally and slow down the aging process. One of the most common scenes that any visitor to China will see is the huge congregations of people, many of them well into old age, who meet up in the public parks and squares every morning to practice their Tai Chi.