Tai Chi as a Holistic Health Regimen

Legend says . . . A Taoist monk walking in the woods came upon a snake and a crane fighting. He stood and watched the exchange between these two creatures. As the crane advanced upon the snake, it would yield coiling its body, waiting for the crane to advance. When the crane did, the snake expanded itself at its enemy, but the crane merely slapped the serpent aside using its wings and the snake's momentum.  The battle continued for some time until both creatures realized neither one would win, and they went their separate ways. And from that battle, the monk created Tai Chi Chuan.  Tai Chi Chuan, which means into GRAND ULTIMATE FIST is an ancient internal martial arts that emphasizes slow moving exercises, performed smoothly and accurately, with the muscles as relaxed as possible and the mind absorbed in each movement. Embodying Taoist philosophy, Tai Chi utilizes a balance of YIN (yielding) techniques and YANG (expanding) techniques, which uses abdominal breathing as a focal point to garner a meditative state of mind. By focusing the mind in this manner, we balance our thoughts in the here and now rather than the past or future, reducing the anxiety created by too many thoughts bombarding the mind. Also according to Chinese theory, the abdomen or DAN TIEN is the storehouse of CHI and the center of our body's balance. Abdominal breathing allows the practitioner to fully exercise their lungs, allowing for greater oxygenation of the blood and thereby increasing energy.
Deep breathing can also reduce strain upon the heart by engaging the diaphragm in the respiratory process.  Based on spherical movements, Tai Chi postures emphasize the full range of motion of our joints, releasing the compression between them, enhancing posture, and strengthening our ligaments and tendons. By strengthening our ligaments and tendons, a relaxed strength (absent of muscular tension) is cultivated by the practitioner. This allows the body's energy or Chi to flow freely, cultivating a balance between the mind, body, and spirit.  Most practitioners begin to feel their Chi as a warm tingling energy that permeates the hands and soles of the feet. With time and practice, this warmth can be directed throughout the body, showering the practitioner in euphoric energy. Tai Chi is not designed to promote muscular size or enhance physical endurance as Western exercises emphasize. Instead, it is used to stimulate the internal organs gently to enhance their ability to evacuate toxins and promote youthfulness, longevity, energy, and mindfulness.  However, Tai Chi is an excellent addition to Western exercises. Through combining of the mind, body, and spirit in the present, anyone can learn to meditate an action. Any activity, such as bodybuilding, cardio training, walking can become an expression of moving meditation . . . an expression of Tai Chi. One does not just experience the activity, one becomes the activity.  Clinical studies have shown that Tai Chi practice can lower blood pressure, reduce nervous tension, and benefit the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. It is self healing through energy placement, and it is an important part of Chinese medicine. By practicing Tai Chi, a practitioner can achieve excellent health of the whole being and transcend the stress of the modern world. Prepare to be calm like a mountain and flow like a river.