Tai Ji, also known as Tai Chi, is a Chinese martial art and exercise that involves slow, fluid movements and deep breathing. It is based on the principles of balance, relaxation, and harmony, and is often described as a "moving meditation."

Tai Ji has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including:

• Improving balance and coordination: Tai Ji can improve balance and coordination by strengthening the muscles and increasing flexibility

• Reducing stress and anxiety: Tai Ji has been found to be effective at reducing stress and anxiety

• Improving cardiovascular health: Tai Ji has been shown to improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart and lung function

• Improving sleep: Tai Ji has been found to improve sleep quality in people with insomnia

• Improving cognitive function: Tai Ji has been shown to improve cognitive function, such as memory and attention, in older adults

 

The Guang Ping Style Tai Chi, as compared with the Beijing Style, is a system for long life and for martial applications. The sixty-four movements are performed with bent knees and straight back. The legs are open resembling a buttress. The steps are soft and the movements are akin to reeling silks (neither too taut nor too slack). The postures and movements all accord with the principles of yin and yang, the six internal (heart to mind, mind to chi, and chi to jing) and external (hand to feet, elbow to knee, and shoulder to hip) harmonies. Martial applications in Tai Chi are secondary to good health and longevity. A beginner should practice with the body relaxed and the breathing should be natural. Advanced students apply mind/body principles and breathing techniques to the movements. More on taiji lineage.