[LESS INFO] 8 VIEWS | ADDED 19:10:31 08/28/08
Taijiquan - Antica disciplina cinese che si basa su profondi concetti filosofici e che ricerca, attraverso l’armonia dei movimenti, quella più profonda della mente e dello spirito. La pratica costante del Taijiquan conduce ad uno stato ottimale di completo rilassamento fisico e mentale; in particolare risulta avere un benefico effetto sui processi digestivi, calma il sistema nervoso, migliora il ritmo cardiaco e la circolazione del sangue, scioglie le articolazioni, la rigidità muscolare e ringiovanisce l’epidermide. Per queste sue caratteristiche l’insegnamento del Taiji non può essere lasciato all’improvvisazione e alle mode del momento. Disciplina precisa deve essere trasmessa e praticata attraverso canoni rigorosi. English version from wikipedia The Mandarin term "tai ji quan taichichuan" literally translates as "supreme ultimate boxing" or "boundless fist," but may better translate to "great extremes boxing," with an emphasis on finding balance between two great extremes. The concept of the "supreme ultimate" is the symbol of the Taijitu meant to show the principles of Yin and Yang duality of Taoist philosophy. Thus, tai chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many of the principles of Chinese philosophy and Taoism in particular. Tai chi training first and foremost involves learning solo routines, known as forms (套路 taolu). While the image of tai chi chuan in popular culture is typified by exceedingly slow movement, many tai chi styles (including the three most popular, Yang, Wu and Chen) have secondary forms of a faster pace. The other half of traditional tai chi training (though many modern schools disregard it entirely) consists of partner exercises known as pushing hands, and martial applications of the postures of the form. In Western countries tai ji quan is often known simply as "taiji" (with a corresponding emphasis on health practise and a de-emphasis on martial art training). Taijiquan" or simply "Taiji" and these expressions preserve a strong connotation of martial/competition skill. Tai ji quan is generally classified as a form of traditional Chinese martial arts of the Neijia (soft or internal) branch. It is considered a soft style martial art — an art applied with internal power — to distinguish its theory and application from that of the hard martial art styles. Since the first widespread promotion of tai chi's health benefits by Yang Shaohou, Yang Chengfu, Wu Chien-ch'uan and Sun Lutang in the early twentieth century [1] , it has developed a worldwide following among people with little or no interest in martial training for its benefit to health and health maintenance [3] . Medical studies of tai chi support its effectiveness as an alternative exercise and a form of martial arts therapy. Some call it a form of moving meditation, as focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form purportedly helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. Besides general health benefits and stress management attributed to tai chi training, aspects of Traditional Chinese medicine are taught to advanced taiji students in some traditional schools. The physical techniques of tai ji quan are described in the taiji classics (a set of writings by traditional masters) as being characterized by the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination in relaxation, rather than muscular tension, in order to neutralize or initiate attacks. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning how that leverage is generated gently and measurably increases and opens the internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.).
