General Health Benefits

<

Taijiquan is a traditional martial art and health-promoting exercise which is a product of China.s ancient past. Taijiquan is based upon the mutual unification of Yin and Yang, stillness and movement, emptiness and fullness, etc. Taijiquan has a very profound philosophy with various practical applications and benefits. Presently, Taijiquan is receiving great attention from people around the world in regards to it's healing effects on the body and mind. The practice of Taijiquan has numerous functions toward improving human physiological changes and as a cure for various diseases.

Taijiquan is a very colorful martial art which was originated from the scientific thinking of the ancient civilization of China. Taijiquan is one of the best expressions of the philosophical thoughts on Yin and Yang. Taijiquan has a very close relationship with the traditional Chinese medical theory. Traditional Chinese medicine considers that the physical body, the universe, the four seasons, and everything under heaven and earth are closely related. The relationship between the internal organs and meridians and the spirit and the physical form are mutually related and function in unison with the entire body.

The Ten Essentials of Taijiquan as transmitted by Yang Cheng Fu are as follows:


1) Maintain emptiness and an upward energy;
2) Hollow the chest and straighten the back;
3) Relax the waist;
4) Differeniate substantial and insubstantial;
5) Relax the shoulders and sink the elbows;
6) Use intent not strength;
7) Coordinate upper and lower movements;
8) Combine the internal and external;
9) Movements must be continuous;and
10) Strive for silence within movement.

In practical application of these Ten Essentials, the aim is to achieve a naturally quiet and relaxed environment during the practice of Taijiquan. This originates around the changes of Yin and Yang, emptiness and fullness, softness and hardness, retreating and advancing, and gazing and looking. When one pays particular attention to these essentials during the practice of Taijiquan, many important beneficial effects will be received, especially with regards to the health of the nervous system.




Reducing Hypertension

High blood pressure is one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Moreover, cardiovascular diseases and strokes are the main causes of death in China today. According to a national Chinese health investigation conducted from 1979 to 1980, over 4 million people living in 29 provinces and cities were surveyed as to the condition of their blood pressure. An average of 7.73 percent of the people in the survey had high blood pressure and/or were near the critical point of high blood pressure. Based on the above percentage, there were at least 80 million people with high blood pressure in China at the time of the investigation.

The past few years have seen a rapid growth in the economy and environmental influences, with it's fast pace of work, and changing eating habits has lead to a gradual increase in people with high blood pressure. The National Heart and Brain Disease Research Association conducted a study of 21,189 randomly selected people 15 years and older in several districts in Shanghai between September and November 1991. The researchers calculated that 12.69 percent of these people had high blood pressure. Based on the calculations of this study, there were over 140 million people in China with high blood pressure at that period.

A few years ago, Dr. Mei Ying Sheng with the aid of three prominent medical doctors organized a blood pressure investigation at five various Yang style Taijiquan posts in the city of Le Shan, Si Chuan Province. A group of 220 people ages 40 and older (average age was 58.1 years old) were selected to participate in Taijiquan for one year every morning. Before and after each practice session, the change in blood pressure of the participants was measured and recorded. The participants were divided into separate groups based upon their blood pressure history before the commencement of the investigation. The following lists blood pressure data based on the international standard:

High Blood Pressure Group: greater than 160 millimeter Mercury (mm Hg) (systolic pressure) over 95 mmHg (diastolic pressure).

Among 60 people who had a history of high blood pressure prior to participating in the Taijiquan/blood pressure study, the blood pressure of the majority was above 180/100 mm Hg. Even though they were being treated with medication to control their high blood pressure, there was a percentage within the group who had to be hospitalized to control their blood pressure. After a few months of practicing Taijiquan, however, this group did not need to enter a hospital due to the condition of their blood pressure. After a portion of the group halted their medication in-take, their blood pressure lowered to normal levels within a few years. A total of 107 people within the .high blood pressure group. and the .borderline high blood pressure group. showed no increase in blood pressure after participating in a daily practice regime of Taijiquan.

The group with the high blood pressure history, after practicing Taijiquan, showed a very apparent decrease in blood pressure to the normal pressure range both in systolic and diastolic pressures. There were six people whose blood pressure was slightly lower than normal among those with a normal blood pressure of approximately 90/60 mm Hg. After practicing Taijiquan for a period of time, there were varying degrees of increased blood pressure to the normal range among the six people. This suggests that the practice of Taijiquan provides a multi-regulatory action toward controlling blood pressure.

Among the high blood pressure group, there were 13 people whose blood pressure showed an obvious decrease after participating in a session of Taijiquan. Immediately following the session, the 13 people would then participate in a 20 minute aerobic class. These participants systolic pressures increased an average of 16.54 and the diastolic pressure increased an average of 4.94 mm Hg. From this, it can be concluded that the naturally harmonious and tranquil movements of Taijiquan and the fast paced exercise of aerobics have very different influences with regards to blood pressure. Taijiquan will actually lower blood pressure during and immediately following practice; while aerobics, on the other hand, will increase blood pressure during and immediately following practice.

The majority of the group surveyed with high blood pressure also exhibited hardening of the arteries. Taijiquan is an active exercise which allows the muscles to evenly contract and relax. The muscle fibers of the entire body will be repeatedly twisted and turned under the body.s great range of motion. This natural .massaging. action can allow the arteries and veins to conduct more powerful contractions and expansions. Consequently, this will help prevent the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries and will also aid in the removal of cholesterol already built up in the arteries. The arteries will also regain their elasticity and strength due to this .massaging. action. Therefore, Taijiquan, when practiced over a period of time, is one of the most ideal exercises to prevent and cure high blood pressure which arises due to hardening of the arteries in middle aged and elderly people.

During the performance of Taijiquan, the central nervous system will calmly control all motion under a state of total relaxation and tranquility. Under this restrained condition, the activities of the sympathetic nervous system will slow down, thereby decreasing the flow of adrenaline in the blood stream. In return, various hormones and amine salt groups in the blood system will increase leading to an increase in the relaxation of the blood vessels. This will help to completely open, stretch, and strengthen the capillary system within the body which will in turn increase the circulation of blood throughout the body. The decrease in resistance in the blood vessels will ultimately lead to a lowering in blood pressure. This would explain why blood pressure can be regulated with continuous practice of Taijiquan.



Back to Home Page