Tai_Chi

The topic that I chose for this paper is Tai Chi. I would like to know about the health benefits of Tai Chi and the meditation that goes along with it. I am interested in Tai Chi because in the last few years I have had some health problems. I am looking for a healthy exercise that I can do that will not aggravate any old injuries and help with balance. Tai chi developed in ancient China. It started as a martial art and a means of self-defense. Over time, people began to use it for health purposes as well. Accounts of the history of tai chi vary. A popular legend credits its origins to Chang San-Feng, a Taoist monk, who developed a set of 13 exercises that imitate the movements of animals. He also emphasized meditation and the concept of internal force. The term tai chi, shortened from tai chi chuan has been translated in various ways, such as “internal martial art” and “supreme ultimate fist.” Tai chi incorporates the Chinese concepts of yin and yang (opposing forces within the body) and qi (a vital energy or life force). Practicing tai chi is said to support a healthy balance of yin and yang, thereby aiding the flow of qi. To find the answers that I need to find out the health effects of tai chi, I am looking on line for some sources that have done research on the health benefits of tai chi. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCAAM) has done a lot of research to prove that tai chi can be used to improve physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility. This web site is an excellent educational resource because NCCAM is the Federal Government's lead agency for scientific research on the non traditional medicine. Scientific research on the health benefits of tai chi is ongoing. Several studies have focused on the older adults, to help prevent falls and improving cardiovascular health. A 2007 NCCAM study on the immune response to varicella-zoster virus (the virus that causes shingles) suggested that tai chi may enhance the immune system and improve overall well-being in older adults. Tai chi has also been studied for quality of life in people with HIV infection. Studies have also looked at tai chi’s possible benefits for a variety of other conditions, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and osteoarthritis. In 2008, a review of published research, also funded by NCCAM, found that tai chi reduced participants’ blood pressure in 22 (of 26) studies. I have found two websites to learn how to practice Tai Chi. There are photos of people striking the poses, along with the explanation. These websites were developed by masters of Tai Chi. I wanted to learn the correct way to practice so I don’t do something wrong and hurt myself. I have also found a DVD “Easy Tai Chi” by Dr Keith Jeffrey. His biography explains how committed he is to promoting tai chi to improve health. http://www.easytaichi.com/biography.htm I have chosen these sources because they all have credentials in their own way. The sources I chose for the health benefits of Tai Chi were because these people are in the medical field and they have spent a long time on the research because they needed to learn the results. I chose the two websites on how to do Tai Chi because they are masters. They have spent years learning and teaching Tai Chi as a vocation. Researching Tai Chi, I have learned that it will help with my medical issues. I am definitely going to keep practicing it.