Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise program that developed from martial arts and uses slow, deliberate movements, meditation and deep breathing. It is based on the idea that there is need for balance in the mind, body and spirit. By practising Tai Chi on a regular basis you will be able to balance your Chi and bring about a general sense of well being. There are many different variations of Tai Chi and these include:

• Chen –the oldest of all the styles with records showing it being practised in the 1600’s. Chen include two forms with faster explosive movements and jumps that make it quite different from other Tai Chi styles.
• Yang – Yang Luchan after learning from the Chen family developed his own Tai Chi style by removing some of the faster and more complicated movements. Yang style is the softest form of Tai Chi and focuses on health as a result it is now the most popular worldwide.
• Wu – Quan You developed Wu style after learning from Yang Luchan. Wu style Tai Chi includes a stronger focus on grappling, jumps, and throws, in addition to a stance that leans the spine toward the ground verse the traditional vertical alignment.
• Hao – Wu Yuxiang after learning from Yang Luchan developed his own style of Tai chi. Hao style Tai Chi is distinctive for its smaller movements.
• Sun – Sun Lutang was a master of other internal martial arts, Xing Yi and Ba Gua, before learning Tai Chi from Hao Weichen. His prior training gave Sun style Tai Chi distinctive footwork and circular movements.
• Cheng Man Ching style –Professor Cheng Man Ching, a Chinese Herbal Medicine doctor developed this Tai Chi style. Cheng Man Ching shortened the Yang form to make it easier to learn, and taught for many years while living in Taiwan. After teaching in the USA he made it a very popular style there.

Tai Chi has a number of benefits including improving fitness, posture and flexibility. It can also aid with a more restful sleep. Tai Chi can also be used as a therapy for a number of conditions including chronic pain, gout, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, headaches, and sleep disorders. Due to the fact Tai Chi acts on the nervous system of a person it can also be beneficial for conditions such as anxiety, viral infections, depression, or any stress-related conditions.