Tai Chi Training
Tai Chi has become a popular form of exercise for many individuals who want to improve their physical fitness and reduce stress. Tai Chi, a Chinese soft martial art, involves slow motion routines during which people learn about their balance and what affects it. Anyone who practices Tai Chi can improve their overall fitness, agility, and coordination, but Tai Chi can also be beneficial for specific ailments such as arthritis, high blood pressure, headaches and sleep disorders.
Because of its slow movements, nearly anyone can learn Tai Chi including the elderly and those with physical disabilities. Most Tai Chi training routines can be practised alone or with a partner purely for enjoyment and exercise. However, those with a more competitive nature can learn to incorporate sabers and other fencing equipment to learn the self-defence aspect of Tai Chi and participate in competitions.
Tai Chi training is available at recreation centres, YMCAs, and senior centres as well as through books, videos, and dvds. While the latter may be effective for practising at home, most beginners should attend at least six classes to get started. A trained instructor can ensure that you are mastering the basic steps correctly and safely. A typical class involves breathing exercises, meditation, learning forms and pushing hands activities. A form is a series of movements that may take up to twenty minutes to complete and has a name that describes what it looks like, such as "grasp the birds tail" or "wave hands like clouds." Pushing hands activities are two person routines that often look like slow motion combat. They focus on leverage, coordination and timing as partners learn to divert and control each other's energy.
Aside from the cost of training, Tai Chi has very few added expenses. Tai Chi robes are available through online stores or local martial arts stores, but they aren't necessary for training. Those attending their first lessons should wear comfortable shoes or slippers and clothes that allow for easy movement. While practising Tai Chi at home people may want to have a cd player at hand and invest in some instrumental Tai Chi or meditation music.
If you have any serious medical conditions you should consult your doctor before taking part in Tai Chi training, particularly if you're hoping Tai Chi will cure or reduce your condition. When taking Tai Chi courses ask about the instructor's qualification, consider how many sessions you'll be receiving for your money and even sit in on a class to observe the instructor's teaching style if possible. Many certified Tai Chi programs have online class finders to help you locate their programs in your area.
When shopping for training on video or dvd, avoid programs where the instructor faces the camera. If they face the camera, then their movements will be the opposite of yours. You'll have to remember to move left when they move right and vice versa. A program where the instructor's back is to the camera will be easier to follow. Also avoid programs that offer to teach you a number of different forms in only a short time span. Tapes like this run through the movements quickly making it difficult to grasp all the tiny movements that make up each form.