Tai Chi: Origin and Health Benefits

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Have you ever wondered what is meaning of Tai Chi is, and why is it talked about so much in the fitness world? Lucky for you, we are going to discuss the origin of Tai Chi, its benefits, and much more. If you are even a bit interested in this form of martial art, this article is going to prove beneficial for you.

To put it in the simplest words, Tai Chi is a form of martial arts. But unlike the other famous forms of martial arts, Tai Chi is non-competitive. People like to perform it for the various health benefit of Tai Chi. And the benefits of this ancient form of martial arts are not just physical. It also assists you with mindfulness.

The Meaning Of Tai Chi

The essence of this ancient form of martial arts lies in the rhythmic, slow movements of your body. Sometimes known as Tai Ji, it includes a series of controlled, at the same time, free-flowing movements.

Tai Ji meaning in English is grand or ultimate. The word actually comes from the Mandarin language. But knowing Tai Ji meaning in English is not enough. To reap the full benefits of Tai Chi, you will have to imbibe it in both your mind and the body.

The Origin Of Tai Chi

Now that you know the meaning of Tai Chi, you might also be wondering about its origin. Well, its place of origin is the same where most other forms of martial arts originate, i.e., China. We surely know about the place, but only little is known about who created this exercise.

There are many stories about the origin of Tai Chi. One version says that a legendary figure named Zhang Shanfeng created this form of martial art in the 15th century. Zhang Shanfeng was a famous Taoist priest and folklore says that he possessed immense internal power and some superhuman abilities.

Another version says that a royal guard named Chen Wangting created Tai Chi in the 16th century. After retiring from the army, he practiced Taoism, created this new form of martial arts, and led a simple life.

The Benefit of Tai Chi

Some people add Tai Chi to their workout at home, others like to add it along with their gym boxing workout. Now the question arises: why is this ancient exercise becoming so popular in the 21st century? The answer is simple: various benefits of Tai Chi.

Here is a list of some benefits of practicing Tai Chi regularly:

It Reduces Stress

Probably the most important benefit of Tai Chi is the reduction of stress and anxiety. Researchers are doing studies on the effects of Tai Chi and so far the results are positive. If you believe in anecdotal evidence, the results of Tai Chi are the same as some other stress-relieving exercises.

Tai Chi does not include just shadow boxing or shadow punching but also meditation and focused breathing. Now, everyone knows how beneficial these two are for reducing stress and anxiety.

You might ask that there are other exercises too which give the same results so why should you learn Tai Chi. Well, Tai Chi for beginners is more accessible than other forms of exercise and its impact is also lower. Hence, you are going to have an easy time if you learn Tai Chi for beginners.

Elevates Your Mood

There are days when we feel dull and low for absolutely no reason. Even tasty food doesn’t help in improving the mood. If you can relate to what we are talking about, you should definitely try Tau Chi.

When you take slow and mindful breaths and along with flowing movements of your body, mood-regulating hormones are released, leaving a positive effect on your nervous system. Various studies are being conducted to establish a direct connection between practicing Tai Ji and improving mood.

Helps You Have A Sound Sleep

People who have been practicing Tai Chi for some time experience that they get more restful sleep than they used to get earlier. There are some studies that suggest that Tai Chi improves the quality of sleep. Once you start having sound sleep other important areas of your life also get improved like your mental health and physical health.

Assists Your Weight Loss

Only a few people know that you can do Tai Chi for weight loss too. As you already know, Tai Chi also includes shadow punching and shadow boxing. If you practice it daily and complement it with a healthy diet, you are going to lose more calories than what you take. So, what are you waiting for? If you want to lose some pounds, search boxing classes near me and start doing Tai Chi for weight loss.

Improves Cognition in Older Adults

Over time, people’s cognition deteriorates more than the rate of healing. It happens at a faster pace when you cross the age of about 60. But, thankfully, Tai Chi can help here too. It assists in improving cognition in older adults who suffer from any type of cognitive impairments. Not only does it boost memory, but it also improves some important executive functions like carrying out daily tasks and paying attention to what the next person is saying.

Provides Relief from Arthritis Pain

Many physical therapists suggest their patients try Tai Chi for arthritis. While the exercise can not exactly treat the root cause of the disease, you can do Tai Chi for knee pain reduction. You can do Tai Chi for arthritis for 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week. You can surely start seeing results within 12 weeks. However, one thing to keep in mind here is that if you start feeling pain while doing the exercise, you should consult a physical therapist before doing Tai Chi for knee pain the next time.

The Bottomline

If you think that you can benefit from this ancient martial art form, there is no reason why you shouldn't try it. Join a training program or consult a Tai Chi practitioner today. Within weeks, you start feeling the difference both in your mental health and physical health.

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