Hamburg (dpa) - For centuries the body art of Tai Chi has been part of Chinese culture but lately its health and many other benefits are becoming increasingly popular in the West, with doctors recommending it as one method of combating many of the modern stress- related ailments.

"Become strong as a bear, fast as an antelope, agile as a monkey and as graceful as a crane," is the slogan often used by the teachers of Tai Chi in explaining the ancient practice that has its origins in the martial arts.

The slow-flowing Tai Chi movements are combined with relaxed breathing.

"The emphasis is not on muscle power and force but on the spirit and the heart, the inner energy that moves the body," says Tai Chi master Detlef Klossow of the Wushu Institute in Dusseldorf.

According to Chinese philosophy Tai Chi brings into flow the Chi - the life force energy - in the body. Old blockages are released and the body is brought back into harmony with itself and the surroundings.

Western medicine has documented the positive health effects of Tai Chi, according to Klossow.

"Typical for Tai Chi is the reduction of the pumping pressure on the heart by rhythmic changes in the stomach area. The relaxed breathing has a positive effect on the central nervous system. Neck and thigh muscles are gently stretched and the support-structure of the spine better utilised," Klossow explains.

A growing number of health insurance companies are becoming aware of the positive effects of Tai Chi and are recommending it to members. In Germany several health insurance companies offer a contribution to course fees.

By schooling the senses and the body's natural ability to relax, people are taught not to react to difficulties in life with resistance. Rather the situation is observed with awareness, understood and then reacted to.

"If we walk through life being stubborn and with an elbow mentality we lose the ability to go with the flow," Klossow says.

"On the long-term this is harmful. But if the body is relaxed and supple the Qi can flow and the healing effect sets in".

But where can the ancient body art be learned properly? Tai Chi teacher Christoph Stumpe concedes that it is not easy to find a good teacher because there are no fixed standards and there are many different styles and traditions.

"The only way is to try it out and how one feels comfortable with the style of the teacher," Stumpe says.

In addition the teacher should have a deep knowledge of wider aspects of Chinese philosophy and Chinese medicine.

Klossow adds that Tai Chi has one disadvantage despite all the positive effects: "It is not easy to learn." A few hours in a course or a weekend are not enough. On average it takes students about two years to learn the form.

"Tai Chi is a discipline that demands regular training. Practising 15 minutes a day can already show positive results," Klossow says but even then a basic Tai Chi tenet applies: "I will try my best but force nothing".

From healthy.net