Tai chi

[Guest guest]

Here is an article from the Arthritis Foundation on Tai Chi:

http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2000_archives/

2000_07_08_taichi.asp

I hope this helps.

a

On Mar 22, 2006, at 11:21 PM, jkgvharden wrote:

> I am wondering if this migh be of some benefit for my poor DH?

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[Guest guest]

Cool Rick,

thanks!!

Sounds so much like me.

I haven't been able to understand why I am such a clumsy Aspie, yet

I have at least a couple other Aspies in sports.

Oh well, Maybe I will join something like this myself first, get to

know the instructor and then gradually get my boys in. Yes!!! That

sounds great!

AFTER my foot heals!

*grin*

lisa b

> >

> > Changing the subject, would you share your ideas about the Tai

Chi?

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> > I thought about putting my boys into that but wasn't sure about

it.

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> > Do you like it and does it help you in any way.

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[Guest guest]

Has anyone in the group tried tai chi??? The claims for it are nothing

short of miraculous, one of them being better sleep.

Please do post if it's worth my time and effort to take a class.

[Guest guest]

I have taken 24 step Tai Chi Yang form (style). Very good for the

senses, meditation, focus, breath, digestion and probably sleep. The

movements are based on San Shou and combat arts. Different forms of

breathing can be applied in its usage. Each of the styles has its

own routine. Wiki is not always the best but...here is a link to

some of the forms..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tai_Chi_Chuan_forms

Cultivation of Chi is a highly esoteric practice. Some would say

quakery. Others consider miraculous.

The body does have what is called muscle memory like in the use of

repetitive movement. You do an action long enough and the action can

become natural reaction that can happen in the case of a block or a

strike, a push or a pull. The forms teach the sensing of the balance

and weight distribution and also goes so far to in San Shou or Wu Shu

to sense or feel the direction of energy of an opponent. Your flow

with or against an object or opponent is sensing where and when that

energy is coming or going to direct or redirect it. The Tao of Tai-

Chi Chuan Way to Rejuvenation by Jou, Tsung Hwa. is a wonderful book

on the subject. An interesting Wiki source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_chi

Master Jou, Tsung Hwa was a traditonal teacher of Tai Chi 1917-1998.

Aikido is another martial art that uses a lot of Tai Chi in direction

and redirection of energy. For that grab Aikido and the Dynamic

Sphere. A. Westbrook and O. Ratti. The western concepts of Tai Chi

are that it is only an exercise or supposedly something miraculous is

misinformation. It is not just an exercise and it is not just

miracle making. It does have its effects as an exercise and is

somewhat miraculous when used by a practioner properly. Claims of

Empty Force and the ability to do wonders are spurious at best. I do

know that some atemi or " strikes " can be used to disable and kill if

used for those purposes. Muscle strength and balance and focus or

relaxation in the moment are wonderful aspects to learning Tai Chi.

I have seen a guy with full blown Parkingsons let go of a walker and

do a 24 step form and not shake through the form and yet when the

form is over grab his walker and have to use it. During the form

though he was balanced and not shaking.

Any form of exercise should help the body sleep. Nei Kung and Chi

Kung should help a great deal in sleep and rejuvenation. Tibetan

Tummo and body heat control is an interesting form taught by some

lama's. It allows them to withstand cold for long periods.

Tai Chi is a combat and exercise form. It teaches the direction and

redirection of energy flow. There is a lot more to it than just the

pleasant park scene with people of all ages doing it.

Respectfully,

Bob

> >

> > Has anyone in the group tried tai chi??? The claims for it are

nothing

> > short of miraculous, one of them being better sleep.

> >

> > Please do post if it's worth my time and effort to take a class.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

While there are so many forms of yoga, and tai chi out there, it would

be hard to make a statement about any of them without being specific.

If someone is doing " nothing " and adopts one of these practices, no

doubt it will be beneficial

I have rarely (if ever) seen a controlled study that compared let say,

yoga to tai chi, to calisthenics, or one form of tai chi to another

form, or the same with yoga or any of them to another comparable form of

exercise/stretching, which based on some of the claims associated with

these practices, would need to be done.

Does anyone know of any controlled studies comparing one form to

another, or one form to another form of exercise?

However, what I believe they do offer is a systematic form of movement

(exercise) that can have some benefits (balance, ROM, some aerobic, some

strength.) for those who practice them regularly.

Thanks

Jeff