Tai chi is a series of individual postures which link together and blend into a continuous flowing movement. Tai Chi is famous all over the world as an exercise because it's easy to learn, beautiful and graceful to watch. The benefits of regular practice are quick to show themselves and improve almost all aspects of one's life.

The principals underlying the postures and practice of Tai Chi have been drawn from Taoist philosophy and its teachings on the natural ways of life. The principals are rooted in a system which encourages meditation in movement and anables the practitioner to gain a deep relaxation whilst going about their daily lives. Tai Chi is practised by following a series of movements that use the bodies natural movements to encourage the development of chi. The development of chi is beneficial to the health and well being of the body and mind.

Tai Chi is famous as a martial art it focuses on understanding internal energy movements, which are effective when treating illness using Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Tai Chi is renown for improving ones health, fitness, and flexibility.

Tai Chi has grown from its early origins in China, when only a few selected families shared their knowledge, to become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. However the practice of Tai Chi in the west is focused on the health benefits of the practice and not the martial art.

People commencing Tai Chi are eager to experience the internal aspects of Tai Chi and want to become aware of the energy and be able to use chi in their practice. Understanding of the deeper meaning of the principals of Tai Chi and awareness of spiritual well-being are required to bring practitioners to a deeper connection with themselves and their experience of life in the moment.

Tai Chi is a practice intended to be available at any moment, once you understand the principals you can bring the practice of Tai Chi into your daily life. Once you start to bring the practice of Tai Chi into your daily life you will experience improved health and a liberation of the mind.

Tai Chi does not use force against force, through use of the principals found within the practice; force is met with yielding and redirection. However the attacking response in Tai Chi is very powerful the coordination of the chi, whole body strength and movement can generate a very strong force.

With prolonged practice physical changes in the body will gradually appear, you will begin to move in a more open and relaxed way. The results of practice will improve your body posture, increase your energy levels and improve your strength. Any stiffness in the body will gradually loosen and you will become increasingly flexible.

Practising Tai Chi trains all of the muscles to work together in one harmonious action, energy is transmitted from the ground through the body to the hands. The whole body is exercised, Tai Chi promotes suppleness, flexibility, and opens up the joints and muscles. Research has show that Tai Chi improves the auto immune system and helps the body fight off disease.

If you develop the habit of relaxing throughout the day you will increase your energy levels, stamina and you will tire less readily. With continued practice, your mind will become more settled and calm this will reduce the amount of background noise in your mind and allow you to become more creative.   Tai Chi is suitable for all age groups, it does not require specialised equipment other than loose fitting clothes and flat shoes. In China is is very popular in the elderly population due to its rejuvenating benefits.