Thursday, January 17, 2013

Taijiquan and High Blood Pressure


High blood pressure is one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Moreover,
cardiovascular diseases and strokes are the main causes of death in China today. According to a national
Chinese health investigation conducted from 1979 to 1980, over 4 million people living in 29 provinces
and cities were surveyed as to the condition of their blood pressure. An average of 7.73 percent of the
people in the survey had high blood pressure at/or near the critical point of high blood pressure. Based
on the above percentage, there were at least 80 million people with high blood pressure in China at the
time of the investigation.

The past few years have seen a rapid growth in the economy and because of this the influence of the
environment, the fast pace of work, and changing eating habits have led to a gradual increase in the
number of people who have high blood pressure. The National Heart and Brain Disease Research Association conducted a study of 21,189 randomly selected people 15 years and older in several districts in
Shanghai between September and November 1991. The researchers calculated that 12.69 percent of
these people had high blood pressure. Based on the calculations of this study, there were over 140
million people in China with high blood pressure at that period.

A few years ago, Dr. Mei Ying Sheng with the aid of three prominent medical doctors organized a
blood pressure investigation at five various Yang style Taijiquan posts in the city of Le Shan, Si Chuan
Province. A group of 220 people ages 40 and older (average age was 58.1 years old) were selected to
participate in Taijiquan every morning for one year. Before and after each practice session, the change in
blood pressure of the participants was measured and recorded. The participates were divided into separate
groups based upon their blood pressure history before the commencement of the investigation. The
following lists blood pressure data based on the international standard:

High Blood Pressure Group: greater than 160 millimeter Mercury (mm Hg) (systolic pressure) over 95
mmHg (diastolic pressure).

Borderline High Blood Pressure Group: those who were bordering between high and normal blood
pressure.

Normal Blood Pressure Group: less than 140 mm Hg (systolic pressure) over 90 mm Hg (diastolic pressure).
Participants whose blood pressure had changed at the on set of the investigation were then placed in
the appropriate group.



Among 60 people who had a history of high blood pressure prior to participating in the Taijiquan/
blood pressure study, the blood pressure of the majority was above 180/100 mm Hg. Even though they
were being treated with medication to control their high blood pressure, there was a percentage within
the group who had to enter the hospital to control their blood pressure. After a few months of practicing
Taijiquan, however, this group did not need to enter a hospital due to the condition of their blood pressure.
After a portion of the group halted their medication in-take, their blood pressure lowered to normal
levels within a few years. A total of 107 people within the “high blood pressure group” and the “borderline
high blood pressure group” showed no increase in blood pressure after participating in a daily practice
regime of Taijiquan.

After practicing Taijiquan, the group who had high blood pressure showed a very apparent decrease in
blood pressure to the normal pressure range both in systolic and diastolic pressures. There were six
people whose blood pressure was slightly lower than normal among those with a normal blood pressure
of approximately 90/60 mm Hg. After practicing Taijiquan for a period of time, there were varying
degrees of increased blood pressure to the normal range among the six people. This suggests that the
practice of Taijiquan provides a multi-regulatory action toward controlling blood pressure.
Among the high blood pressure group, there were 13 people whose blood pressure showed an obvious
decrease after participating in a session of Taijiquan. Immediately following the session, the 13
people would then participate in a 20 minute aerobic class. The participants systolic pressure increased
an average of 16.54 and the diastolic pressure increased an average of 4.94 mm Hg. From this, it can be
concluded that the naturally harmonious and tranquil movements of Taijiquan and the fast paced exercise
of aerobics have different influences in regard to blood pressure. Taijiquan will actually lower blood
pressure during and immediately following practice, while aerobics, on the other hand, will increase blood
pressure during and immediately following practice.

The majority of the group with high blood pressure also exhibited hardening of the arteries. Taijiquan
is an active exercise which allows the muscles to evenly contract and relax. The muscle fibers of the
entire body will be repeatedly twisted and turned under the body’s great range of motion. This natural
“massaging” action can allow the arteries and veins to conduct more powerful contractions and expansions. Consequently, this will help prevent the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries and will also aid in
the removal of cholesterol already built up in the arteries. The arteries will also regain their tenacity and
strength due to this “massaging” action. Therefore, Taijiquan, when practiced over a period of time, is
one of the most ideal exercises to prevent and cure high blood pressure which arises due to hardening of
the arteries in middle aged and elderly people.

During the performance of Taijiquan, the central nervous system will calmly control all motion under
a state of total relaxation and tranquility. Under this restrained condition, the activities of the sympathetic
nervous system will slow down, thereby allowing the blood vessels to restrict the flow of adrenaline
in the blood stream. In return, various hormones and amine salt groups in the blood system will
increase leading to an increase in the relaxation of the blood vessels. This will help to completely open,
stretch, and strengthen the capillary system within the body which will in turn increase the circulation of
blood throughout the body. The decrease in resistance in the blood vessels will ultimately lead to a
lowering in blood pressure. Consequently, this is one of the main reasons why blood pressure can be
regulated with continuous practice of Taijiquan.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Courses
Classes are held throughout the Cleveland, Ohio area. We offer a wide range of Chinese martial art styles which are suitable for all types of personalities and physical fitness levels. Primary focus is on Yang style Taijiquan; however, classes and private lessons are offered in other Chinese styles such as Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Qigong, weapons and others. The following is a listing of the programs offered:


Yang Style Taijiquan
  • 36 and 108 Posture Open-hand Routines
  • 54 Posture Straightsword
  • 40 Posture Broadsword
  • Spear
  • Push Hands/Da Lu
  • Applications


Wu Style Taijiquan
  • Wu Style Basic Training
  • 30 and 85 Posture Open-hand Routines
  • Weapons Training
  • Push Hands
  • Applications

Sun Style Taijiquan

  • Basic Techniques
  • Sun Style Short Routine
  • Sun Style Competition Routine
  • Sun Style Traditional Routine


Standardized Taijiquan

  • Basic Techniques
  • 8 Posture Taijiquan
  • 16 Posture Taijiquan
  • 24 Posture Taijiquan
  • 32 Posture Combined Taijiquan
  • 42 Posture International Compulsory Taijiquan
  • 16 Posture Taiji Straightsword
  • 16 Posture Taiji Spear
  • 32 Posture Taiji Straightsword
  • 35 Posture Combined Taiji Straightsword


Xingyiquan (Form and Intent Fist)

  • 5 Element Fists
  • 12 Animal Shapes
  • Linking Routines
  • Creation/Destruction Routines
  • Combination Fist Routine
  • Xingyi Straightsword/Broadsword
  • Five Element Short Stick
  • Fighting Applications


Baguazhang (8 Trigram Palm)

  • Basic Training
  • 8 Basic Palm Changes
  • Continuous Palm
  • Bagua Weapons


Qigong

  • Basic Theory and Practice
  • Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced Stretching
  • Xianggong Qigong
  • Eight Pieces of Brocade
  • Taiji Qigong
  • Therapeutic Exercises
  • Wild Goose Qigong
  • Spiraling Force Exercises
  • Various Hard Qigong Skills

Anyone interested in finding out further information about these and other styles of Chinese martial arts should contact Ted at the following email address twk901@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Chengdu named "Taiji City"

摘要: 记者从成都市政府办公厅近日印发的《2012年“太极蓉城”系列健身活动实施方案》中获悉,成都将组织“太极习练培训班”、“太极五进”、“百姓太极展示”等活动,举办系列太极竞赛,并遴选命名一批具有示范引领、科学 ...
       记者从成都市政府办公厅近日印发的《2012年“太极蓉城”系列健身活动实施方案》中获悉,成都将组织“太极习练培训班”、“太极五进”、“百姓太极展 示”等活动,举办系列太极竞赛,并遴选命名一批具有示范引领、科学指导、贴近基层、服务百姓等功能的示范广场、习练点、特色学校,倾力将成都打造成为具有 国际影响力、区域领先、百姓满意的“太极之城”,让太极系列健身活动成为市民健康生活的新时尚、全民健身的新亮点。

  根据实施方案,成 都将根据不同行业、人群特点和健身需求,按照集中培训、分类指导的原则,逐级开展各类太极专项社会体育指导员、太极健身教授者培训班,建立完善太极科学健 身指导服务体系,力争使全市现有15万名太极拳(剑、扇)习练者数量到2012年底达到60万人。包括举办市级太极专项社会体育指导员、太极健身教授者培 训班和区(市)县、街道(乡镇)两级太极专项社会体育指导员、太极健身教授者培训班,并成立太极文化专家团,举办太极文化交流论坛、宣传讲座等活动。还将 根据我国太极各路门派的功法套路,结合成都实际,创编符合中、小学学生体育教学特点的太极拳功法套路,并将太极拳纳入中、小学体育教学内容。

  同时,成都将依托现有全民健身广场、全民健身晨(晚)练点,按照示范引领、富有特色、科学知道、贴近基层、服务百姓等评选标准,开展市极“太极健身示范广场”、“太极健身习练示范点”评估授牌工作,2012年将率先授牌10个示范广场、30个示范点。

Friday, April 13, 2012

Master Mei Yingsheng's Birthday


Today is Master Mei Yingsheng's 80th Birthday. I wish him a Happy Birthday and a Long Life! Many of Master Mei's students joined together in Chengdu today for a big Birthday celebration.

尊敬的师傅及家人:

 各位来宾、各位拳友:上午好!

    今天是个好日子,我们的恩师80大寿暨三丰仙师诞生日,在此举行贺寿活动。

   祝老师寿比长江水、福如大河源。

   回顾几十年来,老师在太极领域里穷毕生之精力,孜孜不倦地探索求真,在杨澄甫所著《太极拳使用法》基础之上考证若干道家经典名著,正本清源,返璞归真“张三丰道家养生太极拳”浸润于当今流行的太极拳架之中,提升了健身品位,惠泽于民,实乃千秋功业。

老师的高风亮节之品质、虚怀若谷之风范、炉火纯青之技艺是深深值得我们后辈晚学崇尚和敬仰的。

邓小平同志对太极拳有过高度评价,并题词“太极拳好”。这充分体现了党和国家领导人长期以来对全民健身的重视。

二 十一世纪已进入了生命科学时代,太极拳作为一门运动科学,它即是一种拳术,又是一门精湛巧妙的综合艺术。特别是老师呕心沥血数年发掘的“张三丰道家养生太 极拳”即可强身健体、修身养性、陶冶情操,还包含了丰富的文化底蕴和哲学内涵,是对人类的一大贡献,是中华民族灿烂辉煌的文化遗产。

我辈晚学在老师的耐心细微的教导下,应勤、恒、礼、诚、戒骄戒燥、潜心修行,以获得最大健康收益。借老师一句话:“发展太极人口”,并为人类带来更多福祉。

 最后祝大家身心健康,合家安好。

    二0一二年四月十三日(农历三月二十三)