How can it Offer Stress Relief?
Tai Chi Chuan, or Tai Chi for short, is a self-paced, non-competitive series of slow, flowing body movements (forms) that emphasize acute concentration, relaxation, and the conscious circulation of vital energy throughout the body. Though Tai Chi evolved as a martial art sometime in the 13th century, it is primarily practiced today as a way of calming the mind, conditioning the body, and reducing stress. The basis of Tai Chi is the principle of softness defeating hardness. Proper stance, which involves lowering the center of gravity (sinking), is emphasized over muscular strength as a way to access ones innate power. Depending on the style of Tai Chi taught, there are between 13 and 108 forms that make up a set when performed continuously. As in meditation, Tai Chi employs focusing on the breath and mindfulness, or maintenance of the minds attention in the present moment. Tai Chi works with the concept of Qi (pronounced chee)a bio-energy that moves throughout the body via invisible ene
