Thank you for your interest in Tai Chi Online, an internet community for Tai Chi practitioners. Tai Chi Online is a continually growing web site offering many advantages to its members.
A Little History Lesson
Tai Chi Chuan is a form of exercise developed by the Chinese, but is more than just exercise, much more. Tai Chi Chuan is an internal cultural art and is the Chinese path to mental, physical and spiritual fitness.
The art of Tai Chi Chuan originated about 500 A.D. and people from all walks of life have practiced it to promote their health and inner tranquility by releasing the natural energy of the body.
In 1999 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognised Wushu as a sport, which incorporated Tai Chi under the banner of Wushu.
Tai Chi for Health
Traditional Chinese doctors have believed for several millennia that illnesses occur when the internal energy of your body, called Chi, is weak, unbalanced or failing to flow correctly.
Tai Chi helps maintain good Chi energy with gentle fluid movements making it a perfect form of exercise for everyone. Many studies, around the world, have been conducted in the benefits of Tai Chi producing positive results.
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The Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, England, have demonstrated the benefits to patients recovering from myocardial infract.
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A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (3rd May 1995) demonstrated that Tai Chi was the only exercise/activity to show a statistically significant decrease in the number of falls among the elderly study participants. The Tai Chi practitioners also recorded a 25% decrease in injury from falls. The study involved eight medical facilities including Harvard, Washington University School of Medicine and Emory University Atlanta.
Tai Chi can provide an even wider range of benefits for sufferers of other conditions, more than any other form of exercise.
Below is a summary of some of the most common benefits from regular practice of Tai Chi.
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A significant increase in T-lymphocyte count.
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Toning of body muscles.
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Increase in co-ordination, balance, flexibility, agility and general mobility of all joints.
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Reduction of Hypertension
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Migraine sufferers are often relieved of symptoms
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Asthma sufferers are able to reduce their use of ventolin
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Sufferers of depression have shown rapid improvement within a few months, having been on medication for several years.
Doctors are increasingly recommending Tai Chi as a form of exercise, to their patients. But, as with all forms of exercise, you should first consult your doctor before you start practicing Tai Chi.
Getting Started
Before you can experience the exciting world of Tai Chi through this web site, you will require some additional software. Firstly, if you are using Microsoft Windows, you should download the additional font we have used, and install it. The font is purely for presentation and is not necessary if you do not wish to install it. You can download the font by clicking here.
Secondly, all video clips are presented in Real Video format. To view the video clips you are required to download and install Real Media Player which is available free of charge from Real Networks. Use the Real Player download button below.
Screen Icons
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Throughout this site, you will see icons like the one shown on the left. By clicking, with your mouse, on the red icon, you will be shown a Low Quality video clip. By clicking on the blue icon you will be shown the same video clip, but in higher quality. I would strongly suggest you view the low quality video clip first, as these take less time to download and usually are enough to demonstrate the required movements etc. |
Also, as you view pages you will see text in black, bold and underlined, Like this. By moving your mouse over this text, additional information is displayed. Try it here.
Why you should use Tai Chi Online
There are many different teaching media based on Tai Chi, all of which have their good and bad points.
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Books offer written text that you can read at your leisure but can only present you with still, motionless photographs and diagrams
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Video is presented at the pace of the instructor on the video, thus you tend to miss important points.
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CD-ROM's are far and few between, and although they offer the best of the books and videos, they are never updated, so they only offer one form per CD-ROM.
With the Tai Chi Online website, you get the best of all those mentioned above and more. Read on to discover what we can offer...
Using the Web Site
We are continually adding and updating Tai Chi Online and have tried to keep this web site as simple as possible to use. Every section of the site is just one click away. To the left of the screen is a column of "Yin-Yang" buttons which lead to different sections of the site. For example the top "Yin-Yang" button is "Online Courses", followed by "Discussion Forum", "Articles of Interest" and so on.
Online Courses
This area of the web site contains Tai Chi lessons, including Forms, Qi Gong and Applications of Tai Chi. By clicking on the "Yin-Yang" button for Online Courses, you will be presented with some more buttons for each of the fore-mentioned course areas of Forms, Qi Gong and Applications. Now select a course area and you will be presented with a list of courses available within your chosen area. For example, if you chose Forms, you will be presented with a list of forms available to learn on line, starting with the Huang Jifu Simplified Taiji Form. Click on the title of the form to access the course.
Each course is divided into several lessons, each lesson taking you through a movement with instruction presented in written text, video clips and photographs.
Online courses are graded into 4 skill categories to help you select a course that best suits you.
Ideal for absolute beginners Beginners Level Intermediate Level Advanced Level As a Guest Member access to the lessons are restricted to the first one or two lessons of each course, but as a Full Member you will have unrestricted access to all the lessons and content of Tai Chi Online for only £10 GBP per every 30 days
Discussion Forum
The Discussion Forum is where you can interact with other members. You can share your views, questions and insights with them. The Discussion Forum is viewable by Guest Members, but only Full Members can post topics and replies.
Articles of Interest
Articles written by respected experts are published frequently in this section covering many varied topics, from practice methods to history and biographies. Not all articles can be viewed by guests but we have a selection open to guest members. As mentioned previously, Full Members have access to all.
Special Events
When we are notified of any Special Events, be it tournaments, courses or shows we will publish details here. This section is unrestricted to everyone.
News
Much like special events, but where we keep you informed on current affairs in the International Tai Chi community.
F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
Many times we are asked the same questions, some of which you may be asking, some you may not have thought to ask and even some you will not ask in case you look stupid. We have all been there. Only through asking questions can we learn and F.A.Q. is where our experts can share their collective knowledge with you.
Subscriptions
When you complete your subscription to Tai Chi Online, you will be issued a User Name and Password by WorldPay. We at Tai Chi Online do not possess either your WorldPay User Name or Password, therefore you should keep a record of them as they are required if you wish to cancel your subscription. Subscriptions are payable every 30 days and are processed automatically until you cancel your subscription via WorldPay. If you cancel your subscription, access to Tai Chi Online will be terminated immediately and any remaining days left will be forfeit and will not be refunded.
Please remember
Tai Chi Online is a community web site for everyone who is interested in Tai Chi no matter what level of expertise or area of interest. As such we rely on feedback to enable us to develop the site in line with the wishes of the members.
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