The Health and Benefits of Taijiquan

Taijiquan brings about wonderful health benefits, and is especially effective in treating chronic diseases. Besides burning cholesterols and building muscles, which other exercises do as well, practicing taiji brings about other unique health benefits.

1. The basic requirement of each style of taijiquan is to move slowly, relax the body, and practice deep breathing. Taking Chen-style taichi as an example, once the form is mastered, the practitioner will then practise with the “abdominal reverse-respiration”, which involves the contraction of the abdominal as one inhales, and the expansion of the abdominal as one exhales. This helps in increasing the vital capacity, and also aid in exercising the stomach.
2. In taiji, the practitioner uses the waist to lead the body. When doing the form, the body relaxes, the movement is slow and gentle, power contracts and releases during different points of the form. The muscles, ligaments, joints, blood vessels, channels and collaterals of the body stretch and contract, allowing the heart and vessels to have a good regularity of exercise. Also, taiji cultivates the chi in the body. Chi is an energy that helps to simulate blood circulation, so a long-time practitioner of taijiquan will have sufficient amount of chi and excellent blood circulation.
3. Taijiquan moves in circles. When doing the form, tajjiquan practitioners use the waist to lead the body. This not only aids in the overall bodily function, but also brings health benefits to the organs around the waist such as prostate gland and the reproductive organ system.
4. Taijiquan is an exercise for the whole body, not only on the outer physical body, but also the internal organs. Compared to the other forms of exercises that train only specific muscles, taijiquan is a more comprehensive exercise. Practising taiji for a long period of time also helps to control emotions, leading to a healthier psychological state of mind.