The Basic Principles Of Tai Chi - 1392 Words

Introduction Tai Chi, also known as Tai Chi Quan, is a form of ancient Chinese martial art with slow and graceful movements which is practiced for self-defence and mind-body relaxation exercise (Perry, 1982). The fundamental principles of Tai Chi can be traced back thousands of years to ancient Chinese health exercise (originally formulated in the 13th century during the Song Dynasty by Chan Shan-fung) to its predecessor, Qi gong, and to the classical yoga in India. Each exercise has its own distinctive features, some with specific techniques beyond the ken of Tai Chi (Koh, 1981). However, the basic principles are the same. They emphasize the power of the mind and the importance of cultivating energy and evoking spirituality (Koh, 1981). It is very different to what the Western world thinks of â€Å"martial arts† which is often inevitably linked with the actions of kicking, punching and fighting. Tai Chi is all about the rhythmic, meditative movements designed to help a person find peace a nd calmness within the inner self. Research Objectives This ethnographic research aims to explore the perception and understanding of health and illness amongst people who practice Tai Chi and the beliefs underlying individuals’ decisions to carry out the practice. I am also interested to find out what practices do this group of people have that they think will maintain their health, and why do they think they will be effective. Since â€Å"it is at the level of beliefs that we obtain substantiveShow MoreRelatedReport on Tai Chi Essay1171 Words   |  5 PagesReport on Tai Chi Tai Chi is a major branch of Chinese martial arts that is primarily practiced for its health benefits, including tension and stress, relaxation and as a form of self-defense. The name Tai Chi comes from the Chinese words meaning great ultimate. It is also known as Tai Chi Chuan meaning, great ultimate fist. 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Herbal remedies known as zhong yao (ä ¸ ­Ã¨  ¯) are made and sold around the so uthern Asian continent, and the practice of acupuncture is also done all over the world. Tai chi, a form of martial art developed both for self defense and the improvement of health is a popular recreational activity for many in all demographics. On the other hand, western medicine has made great improvements over its ancient methods. SurgicalRead MoreCultural Diversity in the Health Care Setting Essay1624 Words   |  7 PagesChinese religion dating back to the sixth century. The basic foundation of Taoism is a life philosophy and method of living in harmony with the Tao, translated to mean â€Å"way† or â€Å"path† (Strain, 2014). Taoists believe that the Tao is the â€Å"Super One† or â€Å"Prime Source† (Tai, 2009). It determines all things and all things return to their common origin and fuse into one. 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