subject: Tai Chi Studies May Just Prove That the Ancient Art Could Solve Many of the Health Problems We Face Today [print this page] Tai Chi Studies May Just Prove That the Ancient Art Could Solve Many of the Health Problems We Face Today
In today's' ever changing fast paced world, stress has become a deeply imbedded part of our daily existence. Stress is an ever increasingly common ailment among people; afflicting most everyone at some time; to one degree or another. Most everyone struggles with what sometimes seems like a constant bombardment of stressful situations stemming from increased work demands, financial worries, and family difficulties. So what is the answer to having a healthier, more peaceful and enjoyable life?
Many would say there really is only one answer; and it all comes down to learning; it comes down to the basic and essential element of learning how to be better prepared for dealing with life's many pressures and its stressful situations.
Those who practice eastern philosophies such as Tai Chi, Yoga and Qingdao believe that learning, re-learning and the re-evaluation of one's basic perceptions and perspectives is the fundamental core for creating a balanced and happy human existence; ultimately with less stress. These ancient wisdoms, if properly taught, learned and practiced; offer an inner balancing of sorts. This balancing diminishes the overall negativities when it comes to dealing with life's unfortunate; but so often inevitable stressing situations.
The practice of Tai Chi for example, is gaining recognition because it teaches a prepared attitude and calm acceptance promoting natural healing methods, practices and techniques; which ultimately have been proven to calm internal stress, ease chronic aching and promotes a healthy body-mind harmonious lifestyle. So, it is no wonder why Tai Chi is gaining such popularity in today's society within every sector of the population.
Tai Chi, originating in China, started as a martial arts discipline. Over the years it became a regular practice outside the martial arts community for maintaining not only health and physical fitness; but as an integrated discipline of attitude and perspective as well as a method of stress reduction. Tai Chi teaches an inner balance and harmony with life itself.
Tai Chi teaches internal philosophy or attitude methods of naturally shaping and blending your internal life force with the life energies around you; to achieve long-term perspectives for internal happiness. Tai Chi also incorporates healthy physical fitness through focused flows of movement; improving flexibility, muscle strength and overall improved balance.
For those who are interested in learning more about Tai Chi and looking to incorporate its many benefits into your daily lives; the most important thing is to find a teacher that is not only knowledgeable in the art, but is a Master of the science itself.
There are many books and products available on the market today in which you could use to help you study and learn the practice of the Tai Chi art and stress reduction. Thanks to the progressively advanced technologies of the 21st century there are now even more helpful products such as DVD's; which offer visual step by step instructions by Tai Chi Masters.
Champion and Master David-Dorian Ross created an excellent instructional DVD to help beginners learn the ancient art. In the video he lays out an easy to understand step-by-step program that teaches the complete Tai Chi foundation. Though even some intermediate Tai Chi followers would benefit from his teachings; the DVD is great for beginners because it allows for them to easily incorporate the Tai Chi mind and body art into their daily lives. Viewers of the DVD can learn through the various slow motion exercises and movements for a full comprehension of the Tai Chi art.
The National Center for Health Statistics and The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) conducted a survey of U.S. residents in 2007. Their survey results showed that 1 percent of 23,300 users of CAM had practiced Tai Chi within the prior 12 month period. Upon adjusting to represent numbers for a national statistic, that would seemingly represent 2.3 million adults throughout the country learning and implementing the practices of Tai Chi.
Today Tai Chi is being accredited by many; for astounding results in people who suffer from many different ailments, chronic conditions and high stress levels. The George Institute for Internal Health's study in 2009; found that Tai Chi had positive effects on improving disabilities and pain among people who suffer with arthritis.
Researchers at the University of Virginia report their research suggests that mind-body practices reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease in older populations; which include benefits to reducing insulin resistance, improved mood, well-being, sleeping and enhance cardiovagal function. They are continuing their research to better determine the long-term results.
Studies of the benefits of Tai Chi are also ongoing within the many science communities. In 2007 NCCAM funded a study that found Tia Chi had positive results to the immune system and to over all well-being. In 2008 another study funded by NCCAM showed that the practice of Tai Chi reduced blood pressure for 22 out of the 25 participants.
Science communities also agree that more studies are needed to better determine the long term benefits associated with the practice of Tai Chi.
With all the benefits that Tai Chi has to offer it is easy to see why more people are turning to its practice. Whether you are looking to develop a better quality of life, decrease stress in your living style, or improve ailing health conditions; Tai Chi offers a natural positive alternative; teaching an inner balance and harmony which has some seemingly amazing healing benefits for enhancing both physical health, mental well-being, and providing the foundation for an improved quality of life. Master David-Dorian Ross's DVD, which covers all the basics of the art, is a great beginning course for those who are interested in becoming more involved with this ever growing ancient art of uniting the mind, the body and in essence ones very spirit for the overall enhancement of their well being.
