When you think of the term "martial arts", what do you think of? If you are like most, you think of a body contact sport that involves kicking, punching, and fighting. And while there are many types of martial arts that do focus on these these things, Tai Chi is not one of them. When taking Tai Chi in Van Nuys, CA, more focus is placed on slow, rhythmic, and meditative body movements. Unlike most martial arts, these movements are not all about self defense. Rather, they are designed to promote relaxation, inner calmness, and peace. Let’s take a closer look at the art of Tai Chi, and the benefits that come along with practicing it.
The history of Tai Chi…
Before we discuss the health benefits of taking Tai Chi in Van Nuys, CA, let us first take a look at the origins of the art. Centuries old, Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that descends from an ancient Chinese discipline known as qigong. While there is no record of how old the practice of Tai Chi actually is, there are some records that suggest it is more than 2 500 years old! The movements in Tai Chi are designed to be smooth and subtle. At a high skill level, Tai Chi artists reflect the notion of "four ounces can deflect a thousand pounds" and believe that will a small amount of energy, a skilled Tai Chi artist can easily defend themselves a greater force acted out by an attacker.
The benefits of Tai Chi…
Aside from learning how to defend yourself, there are many health benefits that are associated with the practice of Tai Chi. According to the Chinese, Tai Chi can prolong your lifespan, increase your flexibility, and strengthen your muscles. It is also thought to aid in the treatment of such conditions as high blood pressure, skin diseases, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, depression, and many other illnesses and health conditions. Unfortunately, while many people swear by these beliefs, they have not yet been scientifically proven. With that said, there are many benefits of Tai Chi that have been proven. Here are a few proven benefits that come along with taking Tai Chi in Van Nuys, CA:
1) Improves Balance
2) Increases self confidence
3) Improves strength and endurance
4) Improves aerobic capacity
5) Improves the condition of those suffering from fibromyalgia
6) Decreases stress
Why take Tai Chi over other forms of martial art?
As said previously, Tai Chi combines self defense with relaxation methods. When combined together, these two factors can benefit you in all of the ways listed above. In addition, the risk of injury in Tai Chi is much less than it is in other forms of martial art because the movements are slow and gentle, placing a minimum amount of stress on your joints and muscles. Tai Chi is non-competitive, and is a form of martial art that you can take at your own pace. And most importantly, you will have a great time learning it!
So what are you waiting for? Try out Tai Chi in Van Nuys, CA today. If you like it, your body will reap the benefits! Contact TCSociety.com to learn how you can get started!