Medical Schools Endorse Tai Chi Ch’uan

Medical Schools that endorse Tai Chi Ch’uan include Harvard, John Hopkins, The Mayo Clinic, etc. Thousands of studies have shown the incredible health benefits. Conditions that are proven to be improved by regular practice of Tai Chi include:

Arthritis

Low Bone Density

Breast Cancer

Heart Disease

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Parkinson’s Disease

Sleep Problems

Balance Problems

Flexibility Difficulty

Decreased Muscle strength

Slow Reaction Time

Poor Immune Response

Joint Pain

Study of Tai Chi Ch’uan at the Shin Mei Kan also encompasses the advantages of training in martial arts and combative skills. Tai Chi was originally a martial art, and we practice various combative aspects, including bare-handed, club, iron fan, cane, staff, knife, sword, and gun techniques. Weapons training involves both offensive and defensive techniques.

Regular and consistent practice of a martial art is beneficial for everyone, and Tai Chi can be practiced by individuals of all ages and with almost any medical condition. Tai Chi practice can be enjoyable, healthy, and practical.

Prof. Gene Edwards, Sifu/Sigung Tai Chi Ch’uan

NOTE: Bruce Lee’s first martial art was the Tai Chi he learned from his father. According to Dan Inosanto, Escrima Master (Black Belt Hall of Fame, one of the first Kempo Black Belts under Ed Parker, Bruce Lee’s teacher and friend), Bruce practiced Tai Chi regularly, preserving the sequence and essence of its applications. Inosanto believes that this precise training contributed significantly to the effectiveness of Bruce Lee’s movements.

Master Okazaki, in his 1929 book, highly regarded “Chinese methods of fighting.” He studied under an elderly Chinese Kung Fu master named Wo Chong.

Okazaki credited Wo Chong for his knowledge and methods of Chinese “boxing.” While we are not aware of his specific style, we do know that some of Okazaki’sBlack Belts also studied Chinese styles. For instance, Prof. Estes was proficient in White Crane, and Bing Fi Lau was accomplished in Tai Chi Ch’uan.

With precision and emphasis on Chi, Tai Chi is a Kung Fu style practiced slowly for development. However, its applications can be executed with great speed and accuracy. Most of the combative aspects of Tai Chi, as practiced in the CJA, include bare-handed, club, iron fan, cane, staff/spear, knife, and gun techniques, using both offensive and defensive applications. Besides push hands (Tui Shou) and free fighting (San ShaLi), we also practice hidden hand/sticky hand (Chi Shou), which was one of Bruce Lee’s favorite training exercises.

Furthermore, due to its incredible health benefits, every major medical school in the U.S. recommends the practice of Tai Chi (including Harvard, John Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, etc.). Numerous studies have demonstrated its value for arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, Parkinson’s, sleep disorders, poor immune response, low bone density, breast cancer, and more. Everyone can benefit from the regular practice of Tai Chi Ch’uan!