Research on Tai Chi

I contacted my auntie who is a Tai Chi instructor to gain more insight into the aims and methods of the art of Tai Chi.

Image from:- http://chionline.com/

This is what she said:
 Tai Chi including the importance of breathing in our style

Hilary Moss 3^rd level Instructor with Lee Family Arts

Tai Chi originated in China and our style, the Lee Family Style, reputedly was started by Ho-Hsieh Lee in 1000 BC. This style stresses the benefits of Tai Chi in improving good health and general wellbeing.

It is a Yin and Yang style and everything within it is in complete balance and harmony. We study Tai Chi Chuan (a short form of 50 moves or a long form of 104 moves); dance, sword, fan, stick and silk sets. Trying to remember all these form sets certainly helps keep your mind active! We also have our own Yoga exercises and specialised breathing exercises.

Gentle exercise helps the joints keep mobile so is particularly beneficial to those suffering from arthritis who may be unable to take part in more vigorous exercise. In fact, Tai Chi can be practised by everyone including those that are in a wheelchair.

In Tai Chi, we believe that correct breathing will energise the body’s natural energy, (or Chi). It will boost the immune system, help build up resistance to infection and thereby promote good health. Asthmatics and those suffering with COPD find that improving their lung capacity is really beneficial to their health.

In classes we learn to breathe in through the nose and out of the mouth. As we breathe in through the nose, we let the breath sink as low as possible and we try to fill up, expand, the lower abdomen. Conversely, as we breathe out, the lower abdomen empties or contracts pushing toxins, along with the stale air, out through the mouth.

This pattern of breathing is used in all our forms and in our specialised breathing exercises. All our hand and feet movements are also harmonised with the breathing.

Ultimately, Tai Chi, with the correct breathing aims to improve not only our physical health but also helps to develop our minds and spiritual understanding.

My views:-

I found this information very interesting and it has made me aware of the ways in which breath is used within this practice. Tai Chi aims to energise both the body and the mind, harnessing the body's natural energy and ensuring that everyone can gain an individual and satisfying experience from the sessions. This is something that I would like to experience and that I believe could benefit my work within the movement classes.  This research has furthered my knowledge of breath within movement and links back to the reading I did from Peggy Hackney's book Making Connections.