I have always had an interest in eastern practices. The fact that the chinese have had a continuous civilization for 3000 years leads me to think they may have learned something during that time.

Tai Chi is basically a set of movements that promote an elevated heart rate, maintaining a full range of motion in your joints, some of the benefits of mediation (link to meditation.php), and general well being.

I would love to learn the entire Tai Chi Chaun which is what you see in the movies ??? the one long continuous flowing motion. But I have not done so yet.

I did learn Tai Chi Qi-gong (in a continuing education class) a few years ago. This is basically a set of 18 movements that you do 8 times each. It ensures you move all of your bones in all different directions, stretching the muscles and breaking up calcium deposits around the joints (the poping and crackling noises you hear).

There are many different forms of Tai Chi out there. From Yang family style through Taoist forms. I have personally seen great differences in Qi-Gong alone between teachers.

My first class used the book by Senior Master Gary Khor titled ???Tai Chi Qigong ??? For Stress Control and Relaxation???. (Book link) I recommend it, although it is hard to learn some of the exercises without a teacher to show how it is done. If you know me, I'd be willing to help with any of them ??? or drop me an email if you just have a question. I'm no master, but I'd give what help I could.