Sun, Sword Tai Chi ,Qi Gong and The Significance of Tai Chi Benefits

Usually learning the Sword of Tai Chi will be when the student has gained some expertise on the basic moves. Teachers give importance to the lapsed time till the expertise is built up before giving lessons in "Sword Tai Chi" considered as advance techniques.

Sword Tai Chi is different from the Tai Chi Saber which utilizes two sharp edges and a blade that is perfectly straight. The Sword Form is one of great subtly, nuance and graceful form of Tai Chi because it reinforces careful focus to the movements, position and inclinations of the hand as that manifest itself through the sword. There is a complicated interweaving of movements of the limbs, manipulations of the sword, changes in directions and feints which is quite complex in nature. Sword Tai Chi is normally executed more slowly than the Saber form, which can be very quick and dynamic.

Sword Tai chi comes in two variants as an exercise form or a combative variant that includes a definitive edged weapon. The Tao (or Dao), means 'knife' which has a single edge and is curved like a cutlass. Next is the Chien also referred to as Jian, which describes a double-edged straight sword with a long hilt. This is the classic weapon of the martial art and in Chinese culture it is considered the weapon of the Scholar or elite warrior.

Chi Kung and Tai Chi Gong are same and used interchangeably in Tai Chi. Tai Chi Gong is not so ancient and is added recently with Tai Chi learnings, gathering popularity less than a century from now. Historical evidence of some of the ancient Chinese drawings of Chi Ging was found in Mawangdui, China dated 216 BC.

Tai Chi gong means "skill in cultivating the subtle breath of nature". Tai Chi Gong to outsiders looks more like a slow moving exercise, however for the practitioners, it is the life force that is causing movements. The Tai Chi gong forms are usually simple and for medical and spiritual benefits. In contrast to Tai Chi Gong, Tai Chi Chuan often has up to 150 movements mostly used as a self defense and fighting application that are complex to learn. Since people are very busy, it is easier to learn Tai Chi Gong than practice Tai Chi deep enough to get practical benefits.

Tai Chi Gong uses breathing, movement and intention; it is a means to practice Chinese medicine without acupuncture needles or herbs. In ancient China, Tai Chi gong was called "yang sheng", or "Long Life Nourishing Exercises". Dao Yin are Sitting and lying postures of Tai Chi Gong and closely resemble Indian yoga even though the internal dynamics are quite different.

Let us understand Sun Tai Chi with an example. We face sun, we need sun because our front chest "water" channel known to Acupuncture experts as the "yin" or water channel, instinctively feels balanced by the "yang" heat of the sun. Sun is essential for life on the planet, it resembles the magnet that attracts our body's spiritual magnetic compass.

In winter, when there is less sun; the kidney spirit "shen" which rules the water element in our body contracts as it senses cold. The analogy is to a bear that is hibernating in winter season. The shen stores a lot of energy during the winter season. So if you do a lot of Tai Chi Gong during winter months, it is likely to reap Sun Tai Chi benefits of meditation in spring and summer. If you don't, your energies will appear drained and you will feel a little older instead of getting invigorated and feeling younger.

Never attempt to learn Tai Chi Instructions through manuals, books and online videos. You need a teacher who has gone through the practical training for the efficacy. Similarly, the books can only tell you what to do and what are the basic principles behind every move but it will not actually warn you about the right or wrong positions. Trying to imitate the Tai Chi DVDs can be quite a difficult task.

Once you have learned Tai Chi basics from an experienced teacher, you can enhance it with regular practice using books and DVDs. Until then, beware and do not do it on your own. It is always safe to learn from someone who has practical experience and expertise to teach you. Once you have learned the difference between the right and wrong technique, you have taken precautions of not doing it wrongly and getting Tai Chi benefits. Beginners should take note of this very seriously.

In case, you have complaints of joint pains and flares, consult your physician. Ask the doctor, the appropriate movements that will not produce further pain and complicate things for you. This is very important especially for those who are currently experiencing arthritis or heart problems because there are certain movements that can be straining and may increase the pain. In addition, tell your Tai Chi instructor about your condition so that he may have an idea on what would be more appropriate in your condition to get the most of Tai Chi benefits.