Tai Chi originated as an ancient for of self-defense. Today, it serves as a graceful exercise, mostly appealing to elderly, helping overall physical and mental health. It is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints. It consists of continuous flow of slow movements or postures coordinated with breathing. The slow and flowing movements and shifts of balance strengthen the arms and legs while conditioning of tendons, ligaments, as well as making practitioners flexible, less prone to injury. The continuous flow, weight and position shifting enables mind and body awareness carried over into life after a long practice of Tai Chi. The steady breathing calms the mind and allows entry of more oxygen in the body. The slower and lower the movement, the greater the strength and endurance benefit.

Progress is self-paced. There is no pressure nor rush to learning the form on the individual. Learning the art seems to be no end, because it constantly challenges both the mind and body.

It teaches the virtue of patience. Keeps calm and serene, elevates the mood, reduces anxiety, depression and blood pressure, and improves longer restful sleep during the night. This ‘meditation in motion’ practice promotes the flow of Chi or life force throughout the body, promoting good health and vitality.

The Yang Style, offered in Sunshine Place, is the most popular and consists of slow, soft and circular movements in a flowing form. Each posture flows into the next without pausing. Yin and Yang opposites are applied: softness and strength, forward and backward, action and calm. From the 88 long Yang form, Sunshine Place offers the universal 24 movements.