More and more Floridans are adding tai chi to their list of resolutions, incorporating healthier lifestyles in the New Year. And there's lots of good medical evidence to suggest that this gentle meditative exercise can reduce stress and improve quality of life.
Originally developed in ancient China as a form of martial arts, tai chi (also known as tai chi chuan) is a way of connecting mind and body. It is composed of over 100 possible flowing circular movements and positions, requiring balance and weight shifting, coordinated breathing, visualizations and focused internal awareness.
Tai chi has many different styles including chen, yang, sun and wu, each of which has its own particular emphasis on certain tai chi principles and techniques.
Within each style, there may be variations with some emphasizing health maintenance more than the martial arts aspect. Despite the variations, all forms focus on pushing aside extraneous, distressing thoughts to concentrate on the present moment.
The inner calm achieved not only reduces stress, but has been shown to help people suffering from a variety of medical conditions. A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that tai chi improved the quality if life for patients with chronic heart failure.
Since tai chi is low impact and emphasizes technique over strength, most forms are suitable for any age or physical ability. Best of all, once learned, it is inexpensive, requiring no special equipment. It can be done alone or in a group, indoors or outside.
There are many places in Florida that teach tai chi. The Taoist Tai Chi Society of the United States of America, incorporated as a national charitable organization in 1989, has several Florida locations including Brandon, Dunedin, Jacksonville, Key Largo/Big Pine Key, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, St. Petersbrg, Sebastian and Tallahassee.
The Society was founded to preserve and promote the Taoist tradition of the dual cultivation of body and mind. According to the organization's website, "in keeping with Master Moy's vision of compassion and service to others, all instructors are nationally accredited volunteers, and most of the administrative work is done by volunteers."
So start 2012 off right and join fellow Floridians who are finding inner calm with tai chi.
For more information:
Some other Florida-based classes:
Free Open Park Practice in Hollywood, Florida sponsored by American Chen Style Tai Chi Assoication (ACT) held at Youngs Circle Park every Sunday morning until noon. For more info, contect James Cravens (954)295-7833 or email: shifu@aol.com
For an independent evaluation of various video programs available.
Additonal locations can be found by doing a Google search.
Video evaluation: http://taichivideos.info/
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