arts program forces practitioners to focus their entire attention on what they are doing. The mere act of stay- ing grounded in the present moment dramatically reduces stress and sets martial arts practices apart from many other forms of movement.” Tai chi, an ancient, softer style of Chinese martial art, leverages relaxation, posture and energy work, rather than muscular tension. As a Taoist art, it embodies the way nature works, using minimal effort to ac- complish a lot. “Demonstrating tai chi as a form of
nonviolent self-defense is much easier than describing it,” says Aaron D. Nitz- kin, Ph.D., of New Orleans, a Tulane University professor, tai chi master and certified medical qigong instructor. “If someone attacks, you don’t resist; you can use tai chi principles to yield to their movements with a natural, circular, continuous motion, turning their own force against them. When you move aggressively against a mas- ter, it feels like you’ve just bounced off them and fallen down. In order to win at tai chi fighting, you need to remain completely calm and cen- tered and most of all, listen to your opponent’s energy with your hands, so that you can yield to it and then redirect it.” It’s a profound lesson in interpersonal communication. “My students report stronger im- mune systems, greater clarity of mind,
Self-defense begins with awareness, and it’s surprising how many people are just not aware. My students most often report heightened awareness as their
first result of training, and their increased sense of confidence is what I notice first as an instructor.
~Leigh Wisotzkey, Owner, Studio Solomon/ Instructor, Self-Defense and Martial Arts, Universal African Fighting Arts System
better sleep, less anxiety and depres- sion, and greater emotional stability,” says Nitzkin. “Practitioners become much more sensitive to and conscious of the internal condition of their bodies, and even develop the ability to feel bioelectric fields.” Whichever form of nonviolent self-defense suits us, experts advise
that students study with a certified and experienced instructor for optimum results and safe practice.
Aimee Hughes, a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO, is a doctor of na- turopathy and senior staff writer for Longevity Times online. Connect at
Aimee@LongevityTimes.com.
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