TAIJIQUAN BENEFITS
Taijiquan puts emphasis on the concept of intent ahead of physical force or movement. When practicing Taijiquan, more attention is directed toward the internal rather than the external. When one is focusing and concentrating, all the negative factors from living in a stressful society will be forgotten. This will prevent bad emotions from affecting the practitioner's health.
In Taijiquan practice, breathing and posture are of importance. When the breathing is deep, soft and slow, it helps to stretch the diaphragm muscles to increase the lung's capacity to take in more oxygen, massaging the internal organs and improving blood circulation. When the head is suspended from above, it works on the skeleton joints and muscles to improve the vertebra and the nervous system. When the chi sinks down to the dantien (inches below the navel), the upper body is more relaxed and the lower body is more balanced.
The waist is the location of an acupuncture point called "ming men" (gate of life) a point where chi is stored. The waist is emphasized so that the chi will be released from this point and will begin to circulate throughout the body to supply nutrients for the body's organs and physiological functions. Regular movement of the waist will improve the kidney's function to filter the blood and absorb nutrients, a vital function for all life.
The spine is a very important axis connected to all the internal organs and their functions. When we regularly exercise the spine, it will improve the nervous system's communication among physiological organs and their functions.
When the whole body is twisting, turning, and this is combined with the process of contraction, and relaxation, the concept of suspending the head from above and the sinking of the chi down to the dantien, and also coordinated with the up and down, left and right, open and close motions in the Taijiquan form, this will improve the body's organs and their physiological functions. The circulatory musculo-skeletal, respiratory, nervous and digestive systems will be especially benefited.
PEACE!!!