About Tai Chi

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="1d4d4c03.jpg"> <div> <B>              <IMG SRC="21549470.jpg" border=0 width="73" height="71" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Looking for an exercise program that is not only good for your body, but your mind and spirit as well?  Consider Tai Chi and Chi Kung.</B></div> <div>          <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tai Chi Chuan 108 Steps"><IMG SRC="21667d40.png" border=0 width="103" height="212" ALT="Bitmap Image" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tai Chi Chuan 108 Steps"><I><B>Tai Chi Chuan 108 Steps</B></I></A></div> <bR> <div>  <embed src="HTMLobj-560/Zen10.WMA" autostart="true" loop="true" hidden="true">  </div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FF6600" FACE="Arial" ><B>Dragon Gate Massage & Tai Chi Center</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT> |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dragon Gate Massage Tai Chi Center">home</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us">About Us</A>   |   <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Massages">About Massages</A>   |   <B>About Tai Chi</B>   |   <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links">Links</A>   |   <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Clients Comments">Client's Comments</A>   |   <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us">Contact Us</A>   |   <A HREF="id82.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chinese Zodiac">Chinese Zodiac</A>   |   <A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Products Sale">Products Sale</A></div> <div> About Tai Chi</div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="223260f0.gif" border=0 width="550" height="15" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id30_tai_chi_class.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Services and Rates"><I><B>Click here for more information on Tai Chi classes</B></I></A><I><B> and click on the Tai Chi Picture for the 108 Steps of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> The word Tai means "ultimate" and Chi mean "breath, or air or energy".  Tai Chi is an ancient form of exercise originating in China and stems back to the twelfth century.  There are several forms or styles of Tai Chi; including the Yang, Chen, Wu, and Sun.</div> <bR> <div> Tai Chi is like a moving meditation with the Yang Style consisting of 108 graceful movements or sequences.  These physical movements place great emphasis on maintaining coherence of the entire body.  It is really a whole body exercise.  The whole set involves the completion of all the moves and generally takes about 15-20 minutes.</div> <bR> <div> When practicing Tai Chi, we generally started out with a 10-15 minutes of warm up exercise.  Followed by doing the actual Tai Chi sequences, and then with another 10-15 minutes of cool down Tai Chi Chi Kung set.</div> <bR> <div> The unique health benefits of Tai Chi stem from the fact that it is a complete and integrated exercise; one which works all the body's systems deeply yet gently.  As one progresses, Tai Chi becomes an increasingly internal exercise, working the inside of the body as well as its external structures.</div> <bR> <div> From an Eastern perspective, Tai Chi promotes good health by enhancing the circulation of Chi or the intrinsic energy in the body.  According to Chinese medicine, ill health comes about as a result of impairments in the flow of this internal energy through specific pathways or meridians in the body.  The 108 graceful Tai Chi movements are designed to open up blockages along the meridians, thereby allowing energy to flow freely through all key areas in the body and to nourish and stimulate the internal organs to which the meridians are connected.  In addition, Tai Chi movements work to balance and purify the internal energy as a further means of transforming body and mind to higher levels of functioning.</div> <bR> <div> From the Western perspective, Tai Chi promotes good health by gradually and gently works to strengthen and transform virtually every part and system of the body.  The movements work the muscle groups in the legs, arms, and back, gently stretching them and making them more resilient while releasing unnecessary muscle tension.  The stretching also benefits the joints, tendons and ligaments and it reduces the natural deterioration of the joints that tends to occur with age.  Performing the graceful movements of Tai Chi set stretches and rotates the entire spine, helping to develop and maintain flexibility and strength in the back while naturally correcting posture.  The movements of Tai Chi also stimulates the nerves which exit through the spinal column, providing a balancing effect on the nervous system and all the other systems it governs.</div> <bR> <div> Tai Chi is suitable for all ages.  Whether you are seeking an exercise regiment, a path to better health, or just a way to relax and find your "center", Tai Chi fits the need. However it is advisable to consult with your doctor before practicing any kind of exercise, including the graceful movements of Tai Chi.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>               </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>