Honestly, to really derive benefits from t'ai chi, it's best to practice daily, or at least every other day. If you can set aside 30 minutes to an hour 4 or more times a week, you'll get a lot more out of it than once or twice a week.
Garry Williamsof NC7:41PM December 20, 2010
I've been "playing" Tai Chi for two years and am very grateful that I was drawn to this internal martial art. I had no idea what was in store for me or what it was that drew me to seek out a teacher.
I'm 60 y/o and in good health, about 15 lbs. overweight and take no prescription meds. I spend about 4-5 hours in class a week and practice solo as well. Benefits? Restored uninterrupted sleep when I thought I'd be plagued with insomnia for the duration, I've become strong and flexible and best of all I have a stress reliever at my disposal.
The combination of philosophy, meditation and physical manipulation of meridians has given me a feeling of well being and peace I haven't experienced before. And it keeps getting better!
Try it - you'll like it.
Normaof FL8:29PM December 06, 2010
While the rationale is understood, the comment; Lesson One: Find a teacher. "Learning from a book or video just does not work," says Greg Woodson, vice president of the international T'ai Chi Foundation and a teacher for 35 years, leaves those of us with limited/no transportation and/or limited income as outsiders.
Sandraof CA11:52AM November 30, 2010
Check out our new DVD - Power and Serenity - The Art of Master Ren GuangYi -- Featuring over 70 minutes of new detailed instruction and demonstrations in 19 Form and Silk Reeling...including 6 new original compositions/tracks by poet, photographer, student and rock legend - Lou Reed @ www.rentaichi.com
Scott Richmanof NJ9:22PM November 27, 2010
Qigong—Chinese mind/body exercises--helped me immensely in my successful battles with four bouts of supposedly terminal bone lymphoma cancer in the early nineties. I practiced standing post meditation, one of the most powerful forms of qigong--as an adjunct to chemotherapy, which is how it should always be used.
Qigong kept me strong in many ways: it calmed my mind--taking me out of the fight-or-flight syndrome, which pumps adrenal hormones into the system that could interfere with healing. The deep abdominal breathing pumped my lymphatic system—a vital component of the immune system. In addition, qigong energized and strengthened my body at a time when I couldn't do Western exercise such as weight-lifting or jogging--the chemo was too fatiguing. And it empowered my will and reinforced it every day with regular practice. In other words, I contributed to the healing process, instead of just depending solely on the chemo and the doctors. Clear 14 years and still practicing!
Bob Ellal
Author, ‘Confronting Cancer with the Qigong Edge’
Bob Ellalof CT10:02AM November 27, 2010
It's been said that yoga breathing traditions started in India and later spread to the East. As a result, you'll see that the breathing principles are very similar between the two. Slowing down your breathing, and taking slow, rhythmic breaths can have a calming, relaxing effect on your involuntary nervous system. Extending your time spent exhaling prolongs the time you spend stimulating your parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation half). Inhalation promotes your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight half).
When you're doing Tai Chi or yoga, you're physically removing yourself from your normal stressful environment and focusing on breathing in a meditative way, integrating body movements. Even when you're swimming, the rhythmic breathing that's needed is a form of relaxation.
These same concepts can also be applied to singing, humming, whistling, or even playing a wind instrument.
Notice also how smokers can even benefit: After taking the first 1-2 deep puffs in, many people feels more relaxed. It's been shown that it takes nicotine (a stimulant) much longer than 30 to 45 seconds to reach your brain. What you're doing instead is to remove yourself from your usual environment, and doing deep breathing meditation exercises. Unfortunately, you're using a dangerous vehicle to calm yourself.
http://doctorstevenpark.com
Steven Park, MDof NY9:12PM November 26, 2010
I started practicing Taiji when I was in my mid 20's. As a paralegal under a huge amount of pressure and stress, I found that it was the only way that could help me get a good night's rest. I looked to Taiji originally as a practice to help reduce stress, but as I learned the movements and my understanding deepened I also became stronger and more flexible that I'd ever been in my life. The positive shift in my health and focus and efficiency in work was so profound, that my boss started paying for my Tai Chi classes because she recognized the value that it brought to her office.
I have now been studying for over 17 years and can say that there is no part of my life that it has not positively impacted. I now am a teacher and have my own school of Tai Chi & QiGong in Seattle, and continue to train and deepen my understanding of this art. This is a practice that I see as an investment in my future. It is like banking for my health and vitality of my future, and I love it.
Viola Brumbaugh, Wise Orchid Martial Arts, Seattle, WA
www.wise-orchid.com
Viola Brumbaughof WA6:47PM November 26, 2010
Though during those I wanna be Bruce Lee days, I learned Tai Chi in 1976, I did not start training seriously until about five years ago when I started having health issues and my abused body nor busy schedule could not handle training in the gym as part of the "culture of change" my doctor prescribed. Aside from taking long walks before, during and after work, I had no other modes of exercise. Then by accident, I stumbled upon a tai chi video and automatically remembered the techniques I learned those many years ago and began a journey of retraining this worthwhile art. It was difficult, but when I ventured into it, because it's slow and easy, I was able to go through my own pace and become diligent in it and learn the ancient movements in no time. As a result of it, though I still wake up with severe pain in my joints, I'm able to go through these forms that helps me get through the day as well as contribute to lowering my blood pressure and cholesterol. Now I'm not going to say that because of it I can run a marathon or jump in a Mixed Martial Arts cage, but what I can say is that I can get through my days without pain or additional prescription pills and/or possible medical stays in the hospital. In addition to this, I can say that by adapting a tai chi/qigong schedule as the Chinese have done and continually to do so for so many years, we may have a small and smart solution to our health care problem. So far, knock on wood, I haven't had cancer, stroke or heart attack or had to go in for back or knee surgeries (though I've had recommendations to do so). What's so neat about this training is that you don't need special equipment or facility. I work out in my living room and when I'm out of town, in the small hotel room where I stay. On those special occasions when I'm at a beach or park or quiet outdoor area, I treat myself to a workout with nature, and without getting into that "I've reached Nirvana" state, I can say that I really feel great after doing it. Oh, by the way and one final thing, and I'm not going to say it was the reason for it, but I went from 210 lbs to 180lbs since I stared tai chi and qigong.
So if you want a testimony, I'm a living example of one.
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Garry Williams of NC 7:41PM December 20, 2010
Norma of FL 8:29PM December 06, 2010
Sandra of CA 11:52AM November 30, 2010
Scott Richman of NJ 9:22PM November 27, 2010
Bob Ellal of CT 10:02AM November 27, 2010
Steven Park, MD of NY 9:12PM November 26, 2010
Viola Brumbaugh of WA 6:47PM November 26, 2010
Dominador Tomate of CA 12:48PM November 26, 2010