About Tai Chi
Tai chi, short for T'ai chi ch'üan, or Taijiquan, is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits.
The term Tai Chi refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang related to the moves. Though originally conceived as a martial art, it is also typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons: competitive wrestling in the format of pushing hands, demonstration competitions and achieving greaterlongevity. As a result, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims with differing emphasis. Most training forms of Tai Chi are especially known for being practiced with relatively slow movements.
Today, tai chi has spread worldwide. Most modern styles of tai chi trace their development to at least one of the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu (Hao), Wu and Sun, with Yang Style being the most popular, and is the style taught at University Tai Chi.
Why Tai Chi?
In practicing Tai Chi you don’t have to go harder, quicker, or with more intensity to garner the health benefits. Tai Chi is a holistic approach to wellness in which you are encouraged to go slow, or slower, or as slowly as you can.
In part, the slowness of Tai Chi movements forces you to get in touch your body, listen to your body, attune to your mind, and integrate them both until you are one. Tai Chi can be practiced by anyone. Since the movements are slow the practice is often more likeable to mature/older individuals.
Capturing the culture and traditions of China along with the following benefits.
Class Schedule
We meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm-7pm at
Longwood Park -
6050 Longwood Blvd, Sarasota, FL
Your first class is free.
Benefits of Tai Chi
Aerobic Fitness
Aerobic Fitness
Aerobic Fitness
Tai Chi is a safe way to build aerobic fitness. The movements are slow and risk of injury are very minimal. But don't let the slow movements fool you-you will get a work out.
Muscle Strength
Aerobic Fitness
Aerobic Fitness
You will build strength in your upper shoulders and upper body by continuously holding your arms up. In addition your legs and hips will build muscle as well.
Flexibility
Aerobic Fitness
Balance Improvement
As you get older flexibility is critical.
Tai Chi will help you maintain and improve flexibility providing a greater quality of life and healthy aging.
Balance Improvement
Balance Improvement
Balance Improvement
As you age falls are more likely to happen. Tai chi helps improve balance because it targets all the physical components needed to stay upright.
Breath Control
Balance Improvement
Breath Control
A deeper use of abdominal breathing techniques during Tai Chi will bring a greater state of calm and kinetic energy to your body.
Breathing is a great way to manage stress.
Mindfulness
Balance Improvement
Breath Control
It takes considerable concentration to do Tai Chi correctly. Tai Chi will keep your mind strong, give you the ablility to concentrate, and make decisions.