Balance the body and mind with Tai Chi

Dr Ludmila Vassilieva (MBBS, MD, PhD., GP, Homeopath) is a certified doctor specialising in homeopathy. Having practised medicine for over 25 years, she is the first licensed homeopathic doctor in Dubai. She writes a fortnightly column for Tabloid. Today: Tai Chi

This martial art creates balance by focusing on a whole series of postures which allow the body to move smoothly


The Tao of nurturing life requires that one keep oneself as fluid and flexible as possible. One should not sit still too long, nor should one exhaust oneself by trying to perform impossible tasks." Sun Ssu-mo's excerpt from his masterpiece Precious Recipes distills the essence of Taoist exercise principles rooted in combining body and breath, balancing essence and energy, while forming the foundation for martial arts.

Consistent with a holistic approach to health, martial arts cannot be fragmented into parts without losing its therapeutic benefits. Contrary to what people believe, martial arts serves as a defence against disease and degeneration, not against hostile assailants.

The Chinese have always maintained that inactivity is the major cause of illness. Thus, they have developed numerous systems of medical gymnastics to cure and prevent disease. The martial art tai chi chuan (Tai Chi) is considered to be the best of the many exercises devised.

Tai Chi can be best described as a combination of moving yoga and meditation. Like yoga, certain postures must be learned and there is also the inner focus of mindfulness associated with meditation.

Tai Chi, in relationship to the flow of nature, teaches the "correct" or "natural" way of using the body. It promotes proper body movement, good posture, and is synonymous with vitality. While practising Tai Chi, each movement is performed without tension or stress. The feet are always firmly rooted, the torso and arms make graceful and sequenced movements creating a form of physical poetry. These movements are especially beneficial as they are gentle on the joints, strengthen leg muscles, encourage proper alignment, and promote increased body awareness.

Like all martial arts, Tai Chi exercises involve careful coordination of body, breath and mind to achieve holistic health and harmony. For example, if your mind ponders about tonight's dinner menu or recalls yesterday's business meeting, the body and breath lose their "commander" and cannot synchronise.

If you go through the physical motions without breath control, the body will burn stored energy rather than utilise fresh supplies of "chi" provided by proper breathing. If you fail to properly loosen and relax the body, breath will be unable to circulate blood and energy to the limbs, organs and other tissues.

The health benefits of Tai Chi stem from balanced posture and the proper flow of chi or energy. Tai Chi creates balance by focusing on a whole series of postures, which will allow the body to move very smoothly. This suppleness provides calmness so you'll be able to relax, and coordinate your body so it is balanced at any time.

Tai Chi also improves mental balance, both in martial arts and in life. The Tai Chi symbol consists of a circle with a wavy line; these two shapes represent yin and yang which are the dual life forces underlying Chinese philosophy. The curved line indicates the dynamic interaction between the two forces. Both forces are seen as equal, together they represent being assertive and attacking, as well as being yielding and defending.

Tai Chi stimulates the central nervous system, lowers blood pressure, relieves stress and gently tones muscles without strain. It also enhances digestion, elimination of wastes and the circulation of blood, and its rhythmic movements massage the internal organs and improve their functionality. However, perhaps Tai Chi's greatest attribute is the fact that it channels the flow of chi through the body's meridians. According to traditional Chinese medicine, a person will remain healthy as long as this flow is uninhibited. If this flow becomes obstructed or unbalanced, illness will result. The correct practice of Tai Chi guides the individual's chi through the meridians and restores its balance throughout the body.

Exercises that engage the mind as well as the body, like Tai Chi, have been found to produce psychological benefits that improve mood states. The "mindful exercises" are effective in promoting relaxation, reducing stress, decreasing depression, and improving feelings of well-being. Though Tai Chi movements may be challenging, they are easy to learn and gentle on the joints and therefore practised by virtually anyone, regardless of age.

Tai Chi, which translates as "supreme ultimate," is rooted in martial arts. Despite its slow and graceful appearance, the postures and forms consist of self-defence techniques. At first glance, Tai Chi's slow and graceful movements resemble a dance. While it seems to lack the dynamics of an aggressive martial art, Tai Chi is certainly a powerful system of exercise.

Although its history is based on the martial arts, today Tai Chi is fundamentally used as part of a holistic health programme to maintain health and promote vitality.


BENEFITS

• Improves circulation.
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Stimulates the nervous system.
• Enhances digestion and elimination of waste.
• Helps alleviate arthritis.
• Tones muscles.
• Relieves stress.
• Eases depression.
• Improves mental and physical balance.
• Promotes overall health and wellbeing.