Tai Chi is an Eastern practice that dates back thousands of years. There are different styles of Tai Chi, and when you start to learn Tai Chi, you will need to decide your approach. Taoist Tai Chi is used to promote health and wellness. It incorporates slow and graceful movements, and is designed to improve balance and circulation. Sometimes known by its full name, Tai Chi Chuan, the art of Tai Chi is one of the "soft" martial arts, which emphasizes relaxation in the muscles as opposed to tenseness. While not precisely a type of self-hypnosis, Tai Chi is a way to achieve relaxation and relieve stress.
There are five styles of Tai Chi. Chen Tai Chi is one of the older styles and requires more vigorous martial arts training, and is known for its low postures. Yang Tai Chi is much more popular today in both East and West. Other styles of Tai Chi include the Wu style of Wu Yu-hsiang, the Wu style of Wu Ch'uan Yu, and the Sun style. Today, especially in the West, there are many offshoots and variations of these five major styles. And while traditional Chinese Tai Chi is taught directly by a master in a classroom situation, modern Western Tai Chi styles can be taught in any number of community classes, and even in Tai Chi DVDs and Tai Chi videos. One of the most popular is the David Carradine Tai Chi workout video. It is also possible for a beginner to get a good start with Tai Chi through various online venues which explain the philosophy and background of this art.
The well known Tai Chi sword is not embraced immediately, but after at least a year of practice. In your sword practice, it is important to become very comfortable and familiar with the sword itself as a tool and an extension of yourself, and to move with ease and grace. With or without the sword, Tai Chi form is always a slow-moving practice in which the practitioner is aware of each small shift of weight.
Tai Chi is not a form of yoga, although the postures used in Hatha yoga provide many of the same benefits. Yoga however, may be harder on the body, since positions are held for several minutes at a time and rest periods are required. Tai Chi, on the other hand, changes postures very quickly and the body does not tire as easily. Another advantage to Tai Chi is that it can be practiced by virtually anybody, and those who are unable to practice yoga because of physical or health limitations may still be able to practice Tai Chi.
Tai Chi clothing and Tai Chi uniforms are traditionally loose fitting and comfortable, allowing for free movement. Shoes should have flat heels. During classes, relaxing Tai Chi music is often played in the background, and special music CDs for Tai Chi practice are widely available.
