Tai chi chuan: see 10 reasons to practice and check out a class to do –

A few weeks ago, I escaped to Campos do Jordão, in the interior of São Paulo, where I participated in the Body and Mind week at the Hotel Toriba. At the event, I had my second contact with the Tai Chi Chuan – the first experience took place during a wellness cruise in 2017.

Tai chi is an art of communing with the wisdom of nature. considered a meditation in movement, the body and mind operate together, according to the cosmic rhythm, from smooth and circular movements. They are: yin and yang (as if you were hugging a ball), collection and expansion, descent and ascent, inspiration and expiration.

And if you’re in the group that believes that this is an easy modality to do, you’re wrong. It requires letting go of physical tension and focusing only on the present moment.

In conversation with shifu (Chinese for “master”) Guilherme Pelegrino, who started training Kung Fu and tai chi chuan at the age of 8, I also discovered that fighting and martial art have a lot in common (I felt like PO himself, from Kung Fu Panda). Next, I list some of the benefits of the modality.

10 reasons to practice tai chi chuan

1. Improves the functioning of the nervous system;

2. Intensifies attention and mental concentration;

3. Contributes to the full development of mental and spiritual potential;

4. Balances the body’s organic systems;

5. Helps to conquer serenity and emotional well-being;

6. Increases vitality;

7. Assists in preventing and reducing stress;

8. Improves flexibility;

9. Strengthens the immune system;

10. Leads to overcoming fears and limits.

master tips

Practice during Body and Mind Week at Hotel Toriba, in Campos do Jordão (SP). (Claudio Paulino/Disclosure)

Do tai chi regularly and persistently, trying to master the practices; Whenever possible, train in natural surroundings where fresh air can circulate; The ideal is to practice first thing in the morning, at sunrise, in the so-called hour of creative energy; Remain relaxed and cheerful during training as many of the benefits are mental in nature; Wear loose clothing and flat shoes to make it easier for energy to travel through your body. Taking off a watch, rings and bracelets is also indicated; Breathe and move smoothly, gracefully and naturally, creating harmony in the energy flow; Be kind and generous in dealing with everyone you are practicing with.

5 curiosities

1. The correct spelling is Taijiquan, which means “fist of the ultimate limit”;

2. There are five styles of tai chi: Chen (陳氏), Yang (楊氏), Wu/Hao (武氏), Tu (吳氏), Sun (孫氏);

3. The philosophical principles of this art refer to Taoism and Chinese alchemy;

4. The creators were based on the observation of animals and other elements of nature to create this type of meditation;

5. Beijing style tai chi chuan is standardized by the Chinese government and has therapeutic and sporting purposes, being practiced by people of all ages.

TAKE A TAI CHI CHUAN CLASS

Try new #escapes, do less of the same, and see you next week!