and in real life in parks around the world wherever the Chinese live. Although the martial art is much older, T'ai
T
Chi Chuan was first named as such in the mid-1800s when a member of the Chinese Imperial Court witnessed a demonstration of its use in a fight by a master of the art. It can be translated in a number of ways as "supreme ultimate fist", "great extremes boxing" or "boundless fist". It is usually referred to in the West simply as T'ai Chi, rather than T'ai Chi Chuan.
ai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese martial arts system that is also a gentle form of relaxing exercise. It's that graceful set of slow, flowing moves one sees on films
T'ai Chi is a great man things ... The Best You Investigates •
First developed 400 years ago by families
in China it was previously known in China as "soft boxing" and was considered one of the more obscure martial arts. Although it can be used for self defence,
many people who practise T'ai Chi don't use it to fight, but as a kind of physical meditation. Its positive effects on both mind and body are well documented, including: •
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increased powers of focus and concentration stress relief
inducing of meditative brain processes
enhanced balance greater flexibility
improved circulation
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strengthening of bone greater co-ordination
general feelings of well-being Adherents of the Chinese approach to
health also believe that T'ai Chi builds a healthy balance of "Chi Energy", the life force that permeates the universe and everything that exists within it. That's why those who go further into T'ai Chi are often associated with leading a healthy lifestyle - including vegetarianism or reduced meat intake, an interest in Chinese herbalism and a love of exercise, fresh air and nature. You may be wondering how those slow
movements you see practitioners making in the parks can translate to a martial art? T'ai Chi is described as an "internal" martial art,