Tai Chi Breathing

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Tai Chi Breathing

Tai Chi breathing is really a deep breathing exercise! It is an intregal part of tai chi (tie-chee) and its predessor qigong (chee-goong). The basic breathing technique is easy to learn and can easily be added to your regular exercise routine.

Benefits of Tai Chi Breathing

You wouldn't think as something as simple as deep breathing could have so many positive benefits. Here are some of the most common deep breathing benefits:

• Increases mental alertness
• Helps fight drowsiness especially when driving
• Increases relaxation and a sense of well being
• Supplies more oxygen to the body
• Promotes positive thoughts

Tai Chi Breathing Technique

Here are the simple steps to implementing tai chi breathing techniques to improve your health.

• To begin place one hand on your lower abdomen with the other hand resting on top of the first.
• Press in slightly with both hands
• Inhaling is a two step process. Breathe in slowly through your nose. You should feel the stomach expand as the diaphram lowers drawing in fresh air
• Take half a breath and pause briefly and then continue to breathe in slowly. The stomach should be fully extended.
• Pause briefly before you begin to exhale slowly; you should feel your stomach contracting as the diaphram pushes the air out of your lungs
• Once you have mastered this technique it is no longer necessary to place your hands on the abdomen

When Should I Practice Tai Chi Breathing?

This simple deep breathing technique can be done while performing tai chi movements, walking or sitting down. I find that my balance has improved if I use this breathing technique while I take my daily walk. It is also a good way to help keep yourself awake while driving or other times when you become drowsy.

Tai chi is popular in China where 80 million Chinese practice this form of exericse daily. It is common to see groups of tai chi participants in public parks exercising together. As a matter of fact, in the city of Peking there is a tai chi club for individuals who have been diagnosed with terminal forms of cancer. Many of these cancer victims have far outlived their doctor's estimates.

Scientific studies have been conducted in China on the benefits of tai chi and their results show that tai chi helps to lower blood pressure and reduce cancer rates. Who would of thought that such simple tai chi breathing and exercise could have such a profound effect on your health.

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