Tai-Chi “an elixir of life"
The Ancient Chinese Method of Healing(Prof Dr S Bakhtiar Choudhary)
Tai-chi a martial art form that enhances balance and body awareness through slow graceful, and precise body movements, deep breathing and mental concentration to achieve mind-body harmony. Approximately 1000 AD, Tai-Chi (Tai-Chi Ch'uan) was primarily dedicated to physical health and spiritual growth, and for monks to defend themselves against bandits and warlords. Hence the unusual blend of healing art / martial art which have been described as the internal practice of Tai-Chi Ch’uan. In Taoism, Tai-chi as a physical expression of Taoist philosophy and the goal is to liberate the mind and body so that they are free to respond spontaneously to the needs of the moment. Tai-Chi is a healing art; the movements are primarily a joint oriented.
Chi’ the Chinese character is usually translated into English as meaning energy, vitality, or life force though its literal meaning is “breath”. In every level of Tai-Chi practice, the ability to keep the attention of the mind connected to the body experience establishes the foundation for all learning and improvement, be it in health, martial art skill, or general life. Experience, one of the basic principles of the art is classically stated “Mind precedes all”. This is a very clear indicator that although Tai-Chi uses the body extensively as a learning tool, and generates excellent benefits for the body, the primary objective of the art is to develop mental skills and qualities.
The traditional Chinese medicine never treats the physical body as the prime cause, although he may use the symptoms of the body to help diagnose what is wrong. The understanding is that what is wrong is not primarily a bodily ill, but rather what’s wrong with chi or energy. Using acupuncture, herbs and therapeutic movements (Tai-Chi), the physician seeks to alleviate any blockages with the flow of chi. The Idea is that when the chi is once again balanced and circulating well, then physical symptoms disappear.
Relaxation is one of the cardinals of Tai-Chi principles. In addition to the obvious intention of lessening muscular tension and strain, there is equally important application of this quality to the emotional and mental level.
Tai-Chi is not outwardly strenuous like aerobics and it is cheap - you don’t need RS 1000/- shoes, you only need 10 square feet of empty floor space.
Practice guidelines
Very few people in India are trained in this unique art, I have been training Tai-chi past many years.
• Relax; Mind & Body: One must practice with extraordinary blend of strength and ease, and is the true expression of the term centred.
• Improved Concentration: On every level of Tai-Chi practice, the ability to keep the attention of mind connected to the body, experiences establishes the foundation of all learning and improvement. So it benefits the level of concentration.
• Consistency: The cultivation of consistency is the most important quality for both beginner and professional. During practice many minutes get accumulated, during which, one feels, relaxed, experimental, learn about self and how to respond to different situations. Consistency of practice leads to consistency of attention.
For Arthritis
Tai-Chi is helpful to people with arthritis, many of whom cannot tolerate the other types of exercises. The range of motion exercise involved in Tai-Chi benefit arthritis suffers by helping them, keep their joints flexible and reduce stiffness. Tai-Chi is emphatically joint oriented. The basic idea is that the joints govern movement in the body both physical and energetic. Therefore good state of health is recognised to include the need to maintain a high degree of joint flexibility and strength. The result of doing Tai-chi is that all the joints of the body benefit. In Chinese medicine, conditions like arthritis and rheumatism are considered the result of stagnation or poor circulation. So Tai-Chi practice supports the improvement of circulation due to strength and expanding of range of movement of the joints, especially those of ankles and hips. Tai-Chi emphasises deep abdominal breathing, which uses more of your lungs than usual chest breathing.
For old age
This martial art enhances slow, graceful, and precise. Body movements, can significantly cut the risk of falls among older people, it is a good exercise for older people who may have joint degeneration and other physical problems. Old age people are more susceptible to fall and subsequent injuries, it has been documented that the fear of falling is one of the greatest concerns of senior citizens. In Tai-Chi practice, which include joint involvement (ankle, knee, and hip), lower body awareness and posture as it is involved in all body movements are explored and improved. This leads to a better sense of body movement and a growing confidence that permits a person of any age to live a fuller and more productive life.
For Relaxation
Relaxation is one of the Tai-Chi principles. In addition to lessening muscular tension and strain Tai-Chi also helps in relaxation, that is productive, dynamic and strength generating is what we refer to as “functional relaxation”. Tai-Chi uses the body extensively as a learning tool, and generates excellent relaxation for the body; the primary objective of the art is to develop mental skills and qualities.
For Back
Most of the back problems originate in poor movement patterns. The tendency to bend, lean and twist the trunk places great stress on the muscle groups and vertebrae located in the lower back. These muscles are not designed for strength. The muscles of the lower back (lumbar and sacral area) are intended to supply support for the lower back area not to be work oriented or weight bearing.
Balance
The idea of being well balanced physically is simply a foundation for a similar ability to maintain a good sense of balance, which includes the emotions and the mind. The potential for positioning the body well, while moving, which we would consider good posture, is that aspect of study which allows us to utilise the energy of gravity well.
Recovery from Disease
Tai - chi allows even a person recuperating from a serious illness or operation the opportunity to begin moving the body. In Tai - chi this quality of movement, which includes shifting the weight, trunk rotation and taking steps is used to enhance circulation throughout the body, including the circulation of the blood through the veins, arteries etc.,. Tai-Chi as therapeutic movement is designed to be a non-stressful use of physical movements in order to facilitate organ health (heart, liver, spleen and kidneys) rather than emphasis on muscle strength.
Stress Reduction
Tai-Chi looks at the mind, emotions, and body as interconnected. Their relationship is one of constant exchange of information and influence and so in a real sense, mind, emotions and body care one and the same. Therefore if we create a positive change in one, all then receive the information of that change and then are changed them. Tai-Chi uses relaxing muscular tensions, improving posture, and a deepening of the breathing process to affect in a positive way, the stress levels of the mind and emotions.
Tai-Chi also places emphasis on the development of certain life style principles of which none is more important than that of balance. It is understood that in a very real sense all tension and stress are expressions of imbalance. Therefore cultivation of improved balance, once again as a mind/body experience, can only have the effect of reducing stress.
For athletes
All athletics require a good sense of balance, co-ordination and relaxation which Tai - chi is helpful. Tai-Chi refines movement quality and the correct movement is important for sports. During training and competition there is a need of heightened sense of body awareness, so that they can begin to detect defective movement habits and replace them with more skilled ones. Top athletes differ from amateurs in this regard very much. Tai-Chi helps the sports persons to develop qualities that are essentials in order to bring the body up to peak performance capabilities. Slow and concentrated movements of tai-chi practices actually include a sense of both speed and strength.
For computer Professionals
Modern computer professionals face wide range of risks from Repetitive Strain Injuries, which can be easily handled by modified Tai-Chi exercises, apart from other modalities.
Dr S Bakhtiar Choudhary
e-mail: sbakhtiar@hotmail.com
