New form of exercise is full of Eastern promise

I was put through my paces by Tai Chi instructor David Bailey from the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts based at Westhoughton Community Leisure Centre.

Tai Chi Chuan to give the form its full name, has a history dating back many centuries.

It encompasses several major principles including Taoism (based on conducting our lives according to nature), Wu Wei (non action) which in terms of Martial Arts means using only minimum force to overcome an attacker and Buddhism.

Some study Tai Chi for the unarmed combat skills developed by monks to keep fit and to protect themselves thousands of years ago.

But nowadays the majority of people practising Tai Chi are more interested in the health benefits.

This form is ultimately concerned with relaxation, concentration, meditation, harmony and breathing.

I joined the latter "type" of group which has been practising a pattern of movements, basically a simplified form of Taiji Shadow Boxing.

There were about a dozen people, mainly women in their 30s and 40s plus one woman's son and another's husband at the class.

Slowly

I stood next to someone who looked like she knew what she was doing -- by virtue of her baggy white trousers -- and watched her closely when we were left to our own devices as our teacher wandered around the class correcting individuals.

Although everything was done quite slowly and repeated several times, I struggled to get the movements right.

There seemed so much to think about.

There was the co-ordination of hands and feet in moves like parting the horse's mane, strumming the lute, holding the bull and white crane flaps its wings, keeping my shoulders loose, hand positions, breathing techniques and trying to hold my upper body and abdominals properly.

This was not easy to grasp in one lesson.

And although I was beginning to get to grips with some of the moves after an hour or so I could see why David recommends a full ten-week course before deciding whether or not to continue with the discipline.

But there might be something in the saying "nothing worth having comes easily."

I asked David how he had got into Tai Chi.

He explained that after 15 years of studying Shaolin Kung Fu to a high level it was an obvious development.

He said: "Focus on the internal martial arts come after external martial arts which are the more well known forms. These are easier to master and benefits are more obvious but Tai Chi requires more physical and mental control."

In our frantic hi-tech lifestyles, where the focus seems to be on cramming more and more into less and less, the appeal of this tranquil pursuit is obvious.

Less obvious to the untrained observer, are the fitness benefits of this complex discipline.

To those accustomed to high-performance training it may seem unlikely that the graceful, flowing movements of this gentle art could possibly have the same level of fat-burning, cardiovascular and muscular training as a high intensity workout or exercise class.

But in a competent exponent of Tai Chi much of the activity takes place deep within the muscles, and the body's internal organs and systems are beavering away in contrast to the outer calm and serenity of the individual.

Others in the group I had joined seemed to be getting the hang of achieving Chi energy flow around the body. I was still trying to master the breathing technique.

Breathing in and out in Tai Chi is done through the nose. Mouth breathing does not warm the air sufficiently before it enters the lungs.

But it's not that simple.

It's a case of tracing the breath through your body until you push the breath out through the nose using the mind to push the warm glow you have created over the top of the head, and so on . . .

Patience is definitely a virtue in this game.

And instructor David Bailey is convinced that Tai Chi improves flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, and cardiovascular benefits.

He said: "The benefits to those with asthma, high blood-pressure and stress-related illnesses are well-documented."

Others use the form to relieve arthritis pain and help treat back complaints.

David himself used Tai Chi to get back to health after a serious back injury sustained through playing volleyball.

Posture

As I concentrated hard to keep my positions I could see (and feel) how the back and general posture would benefit from regular practise. After just one lesson I also felt my quads (thighs) and my stomach had had a good workout without the soreness you associate with doing repetitions in the gym.

David explained it would take about 10 weeks to get the basics in place and maybe a year to be able to perform patterns like this competently. But one of the attractions of Tai Chi is that no-one ever truly masters it.

David said: "You can probe as deeply as you want to but you're just scratching the surface all the time."

According to David the more advanced practitioners are able to train specific organs of the body through Tai Chi.

He added: "If people are interested in healing themselves -- their bodies and minds -- they should try Tai Chi."

After one class I can well believe in Tai Chi's claims for rebuilding, repair, immunity and mental and physical health. It is also a great de-stressor.

The bottom line is that Tai Chi taps in to our deepest reserves to restore balance to our Yin and Yang.

Curious? The only way to find out if you'd like it is to try it yourself.

David Bailey teaches at Westhoughton Community Leisure Centre every Wednesday night between 7pm and 8.30pm or from 8.30pm to 10pm. Classes cost £3 per session. Tel 01942-634810 for more information. RATINGS Cardiovascular ***

Strength **

Endurance ***

Flexibility ***

Fun *

Feelgood **** PIC CAPS Ref: J1014 I Instructor David Bailey leads the class through some simple movement patterns Ref: J1014/11 (Left) Tai Chi requires concentration and self-discipline. I'm working on it. Ref: J1014/24 If students of Tai Chi don't recognise this move it's because I hadn't quite worked out what I should be doing at this point! Ref: J1014/35 (Far left) I got to grips with the massaging the head move quite quickly I thought