How can Taiji help

From my own personal experience, I have found that Taiji has helped me cope with a full-time, very demanding, and professional job, working for one of the UK's leading banks. My wife (who also has a very demanding job as a director) and I have raised two daughters so we are both fully aware of the stresses that people are being confronted with on a day-to-day basis.

We both took up Taiji at the same time over five years ago, firstly with Steve Burton in Accrington and then Master Liming Yue in Manchester Taiji Centre. I have an old injury to my back and my physiotherapist recommended Taiji for its health promoting benefits. Over this period, we have both found that the regular practice of Taiji and particularly Qigong has enabled us to relax both physically and emotionally. The meditative practices of Qigong provide a very welcome opportunity to take some time out and try to understand the tensions and stresses that exist in our bodies. Click here to learn Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis in TCM.

According to Master Liming Yue, Taiji can have a dramatic effect on people's health. When practicing Taiji, the practitioner's consciousness, breathing and actions are all closely connected. Taiji exercises stimulate both blood circulation and the internal organs, as well as improving strength and muscle control. Taiji helps improve health, co-ordination and posture along with enhancements to general fitness and weight loss. It stimulates the body and calms the mind, resulting in a balanced outlook and an overall improved’ sense of well being. Click here to learn Senile Macular Degeneration in TCM.

It helps mind and body relax. I used to think that I was able to relax but since I started practicing Taiji, I soon realized that my body was in a permanent state of tension caused by the conscious and subconscious stresses of everyday life. Left unattended these stresses can cause long-term damage and ill health, as previously discussed.

Practicing Taiji has not prevented stress happening in my life whether at work or at home. It is not a panacea for all personal issues. What it can do is to improve physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being. In helping relax body and mind, it has put me in a better position to cope with the demands that are being placed on my body. It helps maintain my body in a better condition, thus helping the body to reduce the risks of more permanent damage that stress can cause. Stress is a maj or cause of illness and ill health. It is also a significant reason for ill health in the work place. So much so that companies in the UK are looking for some solutions to reduce the incidences of absence and to meet the government's challenging targets. Taiji is ideal for the workplace as it is so simple to incorporate. It is surprising that more companies have not instituted this sensible program for keeping their employees fit. On a practical note, there is no need for expensive gymnasia, equipment, showers or sports wear. It can be practiced on your own in the workplace or as part of an organized class during the working day. Click here to learn Acute Dacryocystitis in TCM.

Equally, in the school playground, whether as a teacher, assistant or a pupil, Taiji exercises can have a very positive effect on improving the behaviour of schoolchildren. Teachers at a primary school in Wiltshire introduced Taiji classes in 2000 to encourage children to concentrate on their lessons.48 pupils at a Church of England school took part in exercise sessions every morning before classes started. BBC news reported a teacher as saying, "After doing their Taiji, the  children come into the classroom and it really quietens them down -they are  more prepared for their work and it creates a better atmosphere in the school."
 
Whether at work or in school, regular practice of Taiji can help your body minimize the longer term damaging effects that stress can cause. Solutions that help companies and schools deal with the human and financial costs involved in stress related illness or activity would be welcomed. At an individual level, regular practice may also help put some of the issues or problems that you are facing into perspective by enabling you to relax more deeply both physically and mentally. Click here to learn Herpes Simplex Keratitis in TCM.