TAI-CHI FORMS
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FORMS |
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Most people are familiar with the slow motion Tai-chi movements. They are imitations of animal and other natural movements. Named after the families which developed them, such as the Yang and Chen families, they promote relaxation, improve general health, improve breathing, calm mind and body and develop balance, coordination and proper body alignment. Your
body gently settles into the legs and into the ground on the out-breath and
expands, rising upward, on the in-breath.
Each part of the body flows in turn, as if floating in the air.
You feel a gentle, healing energy filling your body.
This is “chi”, the basis of Chinese medicine.
“Chi”, or “internal energy”, coordinates the activity of all
the organs of the body, keeping them in balance. These
slow motion movements help us deal with the stress of everyday life, while
keeping our minds strong and clear and our hearts light. There
are more active forms based on the movements of a particular animal or on an
ancient weapon. Some forms are
very aerobic and can also be beautifully acrobatic.
Sometimes the more active forms are called, “Wushu”.
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