What Is in Tai Chi That's Good for You?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jasmine_Bu]Jasmine Bu
Silk Reeling in Chen Tai Chi
The chan si jin or Silk Reeling movements characteristic to Chen Style Taijiquan (Tai Chi) have evolved from the dynamics of the human form. In this, we can recall Leonardo Da Vinci's diagram of the Vitruvian man. Outstretched, our limbs mark out the dimensions of a circle. In the Chen style, we train our bodies to utilize the power of circularity. The upper arm moves in diagonal circles. At a more advanced level, we train our core to move in circles. As we become more familiar and gain more mastery over our bodies, we train until the circles get smaller and smaller. But that requires some explanation that is best explained separately.
As we exert our bodies to produce circular chan si jin movements, we massage the inner parts of our body with the rotations. This can be likened to the cycles of a washing machine. When we execute a left chan si, a right chan si, an upwards chan si, and a chan si downwards, there is a great deal of movement at our core. This routine can give rise to a great amount of heat being generated in the body within a very short time.  As our body heats up, good cholesterol will be built up, fatty deposits will be dislodged and toxins carried away from the body through perspiration. We know that exercise makes us sweat out the toxins. Due to the constant internal activity that the body is put through, the body's metabolism is kept working at a healthy level. In turn, this may keep old age spots at bay.
Breathing and Salivation
The breathing skill in   rel=nofollow Chen Style Taijiquan (Tai Chi) is known as the tu na breathing skill, or reverse breathing. When inhaling, the chest expands and the abdomen contracts. When exhaling, the chest contracts and the abdomen expands. This is actually how we breathe during sleep! In performing the Chen routines, we concentrate on our core or dantian. By training ourselves to breathe in tandem with each move, we will not pant or get breathless. This is the nice part of doing Tai Chi instead of an aerobic sport where you find yourself breathing very heavily as you get into your zone. As we keep up the practice, we take longer, deeper breaths. This becomes a good habit. Our lung capacity will increase and we will be able to take in more oxygen at any time.
Within minutes of concentrated practice, salivation should occur. This form of salivation is known as tuo ye or spiritual discharge and should be swallowed back into the stomach. Hence, as the practice continues, salivation should be frequent.
It is deemed that salivating promotes vitality and is beneficial to the complexion. The Japanese have been exploring how acupuncture can be applied to create salivation, and it has become a research trend for the beauty industry in Japan.
Flexibility and Balance
Silk Reeling practice builds flexibility. The twisting and spiralling motions require significant pivotal shifts in our limb joints. This results in a lot of movement there. So, whenever, we do silk reeling, we are, in effect, stretching and exercising the ligaments at the joints.
A long-term, diligent investment in Tai Chi improves the sense of physical balance. The basic requirement is an upright posture without any hunching or slouching. In a Tai Chi routine, we learn to adjust our feet in relation to how we shift our weight. This trains our bodies to find balance each time we move which is a valuable skill.
Practicing traditional Tai Chi with its tripartite requirement of focus, mindful movement and regulated breathing disciplines the mind. It has many important health benefits wrapped up inside a beautiful art.
It is never too late to start practicing now.
Jasmine Bu is the Chief Editor and Certified Instructor of The World of Taijiquan ( http://chen-taiji.com/), which she maintains with her husband. She is a holder of the Gold titles in traditional fist and swordplay and an ex-national team member of Singapore.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Is-in-Tai-Chi-Thats-Good-for-You?&id=6660494] What Is in Tai Chi That's Good for You?