TAI CHICHINA XIANG GONG

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TAI CHI/CHINA XIANG GONG

• Veronica Southard PT MS GCS

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Tai Chi

• Recognizes the mind body connection
• Graceful, slow tempo movements

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Goals of Tai Chi

• Improve balance
• Posture
• Coordination
• Integration of mvt.
• Endurance
• Strength
• Flexibility
• relaxation

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Benefits

• CV
• NM
• Psychological

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Common impairments 2ary to inactivity and aging

• Dec resp status
• Dec trunk control
• Poor base of support
• Dec awareness of mvt and position
• Dec. interaction with peers

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What is Tai Chi

• Originally a martial art, the defendant throws
  off his attacker by using the attackers energy
  against himself. For example, sidestepping the
  attacker, throwing him off balance.
• Numerous forms 108 posturings and transitions of
  controlled mvt, each style has slightly different
  philosophical foundations.

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Regular Tai Chi Causes

• Longevity
• Good health
• Vigor
• Mental awareness
• Creativity

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Philosophy

• Improve and progress toward the unlimited and
  immense interrelationship between the self and
  all other things in existence
• Human ability is capable of developing beyond
  commonly perceived potential
• Creativity has no boundaries

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Yin/Yang

• Joining together of opposites, basis for
  practicing Tai Chi.
• Aim of meditation portion is to increase the Yang
  ( action power), Decrease Yin (- yielding
  power.)
• Aim of exercise portion is to Decrease the Yang
  and increase the Yin.

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Postures/Movements

• Relate to the 12 pathways of energy of the body
  (meridians), from the specific inner organs to
  which they correspond
• Transitions from one posture to the next,
  combined with breathing, reflect the flow of
  energy through these meridians.
• Chinese stress breathing as a means of disease
  prevention, prolonging youth and achieving
  longevity.

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Cleansing and Energy

• Exercise and breathing allows you to take in
  fresh elements and get rid of wastes and poisons.
  Inhalation STORES energy. Exhalation RELEASES
  energy.
• Central energy source of the body is the SOLAR
  PLEXUS. As we breathe in, we lift energy from
  our solar plexus, as we breathe out, the energy
  is directed from the solar plexus to the lower
  abdomen.

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Time

• A Tai Chi routine takes about 20 minutes
• Stretching exercises should be added.

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Preventative Qualities of Tai Chi

• gt 80 illness has a stress component in its
  development
• Tai Chi provides the advantage of regular ex with
  emphasis on gracefulness and slowness of pace
  that Western society lacks.
• Peaceful mental states may help prevent or
  reverse disease processes.
• Integrates body and mind through breathing and
  mvt.

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Application of Tai Chi to Traditional Medicine

• Respitory impairments
• Traditional medicine Deep breathing, segmental
  breathing, walk
• Tai Chi will accomplish these
• Another example of impairment CAD.

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PT Researches the Benefits of Tai Chi

• Significant benefits documented
• Improved vo2 uptake
• Moderate aerobic ex
• Promotes postural control
• Improved balance
• Prevents falls ( Tse and Bailey)
• Improved sway control (Wolfson)
• Stress reduction
• Self reported enhanced vigor and decreased
  anxiety