About T'ai Chi   Good for the Mind, Good for the Body   by Brenda Sexton Sanders, M. Ed. T'ai Chi Chuan, the oldest of Chinese martial arts dating back some 2,500 years, is known as the ‘supreme ultimate.’  Recognized worldwide on World T’ai Chi Day each April 30th, this series of slow, fluid movements has been proven in clinical studies to improve one’s balance, reduce stress, increase one’s flexibility and endurance and build not only physical strength, but also mental capacity.  Yang Style T’ai Chi Chuan, practiced for over 300 years, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving meditation.  As you relax and focus on your breathing, your posture and your balance, your body sinks into a natural stance, in alignment.  The sequence of soft and graceful movements facilitates relaxation, internal tranquility, centering, continuity, connection, balance, better posture, a broader range of motion, finer-scale motor control and agility. The meditative nature of the exercises is calming and relaxing. Long accepted as the ideal exercise for life-long well-being in China, studies from Harvard and the Mayo Clinic have now shown that regular T’ai Chi practice can be an effective compliment in the treatment of many medical conditions, such as: Arthritis        High Blood Pressure      Osteoarthritis     Anxiety     Headaches Stress     Cancer    Diabetes      Dementia     Osteopenia     Cardiovascular Disease Anxiety     Muscular/Neurological Disorders     Fibromyalgia     Post-Injury/Surgery Included briefly in each T'ai Chi class, Qi Gong (qi is pronounced "chee"), or energy work, involves simple exercises incorporating body movement, breathing and mental visualization to create energy and circulate it throughout the physical body. Used in traditional Chinese Medicine as a healing art, Qi Gong promotes relaxation and an improved sense of well-being.                                             Traditional Yang Style T'ai Chi Chuan, as taught by Grand Master Yang Zhenduo of China, is offered at Grapevine Yoga. Tai chi instructor Brenda Sanders has studied with Grand Master Yang Zhenduo and his grandson, Master Yang Jun, 4th and 5th generation Yang Family T’ai Chi Chuan, respectively. More Tai chi Facts The full name of the art, Tai Chi Chuan, is often shortened to T'ai chi, or Tai chi, or Taiji.  All terms are used interchangeably. The Chinese characters for Tai Chi Chuan can be translated as the "Supreme Ultimate Force." The notion of "supreme ultimate" is often associated with the Chinese concept of yin-yang, the idea of a dynamic duality (male/female, active/passive, dark/light, forceful/yielding, etc.) in all things. "Force" (or, more literally, "fist") can be thought of here as the means or way of achieving this yin-yang, or "supreme-ultimate" discipline