--------------------- conversational ...easy to read...FUN and informative." - Lois Miller Bluegrass Who Dun it THE MOVIE Available on DVD --------------------! 5 Element Tai Chi Can be a great way to energize your people at a workshop or convention 859 623 9645 5 Element DVD Available |
| Visitors since 4/10/09 |
Disclaimer - This site
has been created and
is maintained for
general use by the
students in
Dr. Bobbert's classes.
The public is
welcome. No
guarantees or
warranties, implied or
otherwise, and no
endorsements apply to
the data and
information contained
herein. Dr. Bobbert
and the Universities
and Colleges assume
no responsibility for
financial or emotional
damage that may be
caused by either the
existence or use of
this information or by
errors or omissions in
the data or the
associated forms or
html pages.
----
has been created and
is maintained for
general use by the
students in
Dr. Bobbert's classes.
The public is
welcome. No
guarantees or
warranties, implied or
otherwise, and no
endorsements apply to
the data and
information contained
herein. Dr. Bobbert
and the Universities
and Colleges assume
no responsibility for
financial or emotional
damage that may be
caused by either the
existence or use of
this information or by
errors or omissions in
the data or the
associated forms or
html pages.
----
Dr Larry C. Bobbert has been practicing Tai Chi for nearly
20 years. He's studied several styles, has a Black belt in
Aikido and rank in two styles of Karate and Arnis.
He also studies Qi Gong which he believes goes well
with both Tai Chi and Aikido.
20 years. He's studied several styles, has a Black belt in
Aikido and rank in two styles of Karate and Arnis.
He also studies Qi Gong which he believes goes well
with both Tai Chi and Aikido.
For several years Dr. Bobbert taught Stress Management through Tai Chi Exercises
at Eastern Kentucky University. The course was designed for older people, but anyone of any
age can benefit from the positive health effects of Tai Chi.
at Eastern Kentucky University. The course was designed for older people, but anyone of any
age can benefit from the positive health effects of Tai Chi.
| Chinese Proverb If you want happiness for an hour? Take a nap. If you want happiness for a day? Go fishing. If you want happiness for a month? Get married. If you want happiness for a year? Inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime? Help others |
Advanced
classes learn
Tai Chi sword.
Classes are
enhanced with a
video created by
Randy Johnson
whose studies
included visits
to dojos in
China.
classes learn
Tai Chi sword.
Classes are
enhanced with a
video created by
Randy Johnson
whose studies
included visits
to dojos in
China.
Tai Chi Sword
| We often begin Tai Chi classes with the Five Element form. The basic postures of the Five Element form can be learned in a couple hours then one can spend a life time developing the health benefits by learning to breath, pace, and smooth the forms movements . Click the title Five Elements to see an outline and drawings of the form's postures. |
| Health Effects of Tai Chi |
Click here to read "Health Effects" comments
by two of my Tai Chi Instructors. Sensei Ron
Boyd whose Aikido Dojo I attend and Randy
Johnson formerly from Western Kentucky
University. Both instructors teach law
enforcement and juvenile justice personnel.
by two of my Tai Chi Instructors. Sensei Ron
Boyd whose Aikido Dojo I attend and Randy
Johnson formerly from Western Kentucky
University. Both instructors teach law
enforcement and juvenile justice personnel.
Five Element Form
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| Link to Dr. Bobbert's EKU Tai Chi Web site |
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| Click here to read more of the background for the 5 elements of Tai Chi presented by Dr. Bobbert who has been a student of Randy Johnson. Randy Johnson brought 5 Elements to Kentucky after a trip to China. "It's one of the best self-awareness exercises there is, because you really have to concentrate on yourself... as simple as it is, it takes all your mental and physical energy to do it." Corrections Professionals Turn to the Martial Arts to Cure Their Stress www.Corrections.com By Tyler Reed, Click here to read more on how the 5 Element Tai Chi came to America. |
What is Tai Chi
Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese martial art
usually practiced for its health benefits which
include a means for dealing with tension and
stress. Martial arts are divided into two basic
types—the hard and soft. Soft martial arts
are referred to as “internal arts.” Tai Chi and
Aikido (ba gua) are considered internal or
soft while Karate and kung fu (wushu) are
hard martial arts.
Tai chi emphasizes complete relaxation and
meditation and has been described as
“meditation in motion.” Tai chi exercises are
soft, slow flowing movements that
emphasize force rather than brute strength.
Today, Tai chi practitioners exercise the
same but are all different due to differences
in body size, shape and abilities.
Tai Chi is composed of a series of
prearranged and continuous movements
often described as “poetry in motion,” but
have evolved from a method of self defense.
While the movements are graceful and
natural they are firm like “an iron hand in a
velvet glove.”
Practice exercises require one to
concentrate intensely while breathing
deeply while executing coordinated
movements.
Practitioners believe doing Tai Chi exercises
regularly will “enhance the function of the
central nervous system, keep the joints
flexible and improve the operation of internal
organs.” This writer “just feels better and
has better balance after practicing.”
Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese martial art
usually practiced for its health benefits which
include a means for dealing with tension and
stress. Martial arts are divided into two basic
types—the hard and soft. Soft martial arts
are referred to as “internal arts.” Tai Chi and
Aikido (ba gua) are considered internal or
soft while Karate and kung fu (wushu) are
hard martial arts.
Tai chi emphasizes complete relaxation and
meditation and has been described as
“meditation in motion.” Tai chi exercises are
soft, slow flowing movements that
emphasize force rather than brute strength.
Today, Tai chi practitioners exercise the
same but are all different due to differences
in body size, shape and abilities.
Tai Chi is composed of a series of
prearranged and continuous movements
often described as “poetry in motion,” but
have evolved from a method of self defense.
While the movements are graceful and
natural they are firm like “an iron hand in a
velvet glove.”
Practice exercises require one to
concentrate intensely while breathing
deeply while executing coordinated
movements.
Practitioners believe doing Tai Chi exercises
regularly will “enhance the function of the
central nervous system, keep the joints
flexible and improve the operation of internal
organs.” This writer “just feels better and
has better balance after practicing.”
Brief History
Sorting out the fact from legend in Tai Chi is
difficult. Some trace Tai chi roots back to the
second millennium B.C. to the practice of
yoga in ancient India. In China yoga
developed as Saolin chuan (“chuan” is
boxing or fighting). In the 13th Century A.D.,
a Taoist monk, Chang San Feng, developed
what has come to be known as Tai Chi.
Later Tai Chi developed differently in various
parts of China and was associated with
particular families. These family names
came to designate different styles.
Chen Wangting in Henan Province created
tai ji during the Ming Dynasty (1364-1644).
Over 300 years it evolved into five main
schools. Each school features distinct
postures and use of strength. A man
named Yang studied with the Chen family
and later modified the Chen style into the
Yang style practiced by many today. The
Yang style has three different forms—
Simplified, Short and the Long forms.
Sorting out the fact from legend in Tai Chi is
difficult. Some trace Tai chi roots back to the
second millennium B.C. to the practice of
yoga in ancient India. In China yoga
developed as Saolin chuan (“chuan” is
boxing or fighting). In the 13th Century A.D.,
a Taoist monk, Chang San Feng, developed
what has come to be known as Tai Chi.
Later Tai Chi developed differently in various
parts of China and was associated with
particular families. These family names
came to designate different styles.
Chen Wangting in Henan Province created
tai ji during the Ming Dynasty (1364-1644).
Over 300 years it evolved into five main
schools. Each school features distinct
postures and use of strength. A man
named Yang studied with the Chen family
and later modified the Chen style into the
Yang style practiced by many today. The
Yang style has three different forms—
Simplified, Short and the Long forms.
Philosophy
Tai Chi developed from two Chinese
philosophical texts: the Tao Te Ching and the
I Ching.
Tao Te Ching is translated different ways.
One is “the classic way of integrity.” Both texts
stress what the Chinese call “chi.”
Chi is an ancient notion designating a form
of energy. Literally, the term means
something like “breath” similar to the ancient
Greek word from which we get the word
“spirit.”
Tai chi philosophy is that energy or chi flows
throughout the body. It can become blocked
and one becomes ill when the flow of the chi
through the body becomes blocked.
Tai chi masters and philosophers recognize
several means for freeing up the flow of chi.
Two of the more commonly known are
acupuncture and the practice of tai chi.
Tai Chi developed from two Chinese
philosophical texts: the Tao Te Ching and the
I Ching.
Tao Te Ching is translated different ways.
One is “the classic way of integrity.” Both texts
stress what the Chinese call “chi.”
Chi is an ancient notion designating a form
of energy. Literally, the term means
something like “breath” similar to the ancient
Greek word from which we get the word
“spirit.”
Tai chi philosophy is that energy or chi flows
throughout the body. It can become blocked
and one becomes ill when the flow of the chi
through the body becomes blocked.
Tai chi masters and philosophers recognize
several means for freeing up the flow of chi.
Two of the more commonly known are
acupuncture and the practice of tai chi.
Psychological Effects
In addition to physical benefits of tai chi, the
many believe, Tai Chi has certain
psychological effects as well. Tai Chi, as a
form of meditation, is intended to help one
understand oneself and help deal with
others more effectively by learning to
control oneself.
Self-control can develop through two
principals found in the Tao Te Ching and I
Ching—expressed in the symbol yin and
yang.
Taoism philosophy understands everything
in terms of these two opposing principles.
Though these two principles are seen as
opposites, the one necessarily merges into
the other crating natural balance of self..
The tai chi enables one to bring the
principles of yin and yang back into their
fundamental natural harmony. The
ultimate effect of this harmony, according
to Taoism and Tai Chi, is one’s physical
and spiritual (psychological) well-being.
In addition to physical benefits of tai chi, the
many believe, Tai Chi has certain
psychological effects as well. Tai Chi, as a
form of meditation, is intended to help one
understand oneself and help deal with
others more effectively by learning to
control oneself.
Self-control can develop through two
principals found in the Tao Te Ching and I
Ching—expressed in the symbol yin and
yang.
Taoism philosophy understands everything
in terms of these two opposing principles.
Though these two principles are seen as
opposites, the one necessarily merges into
the other crating natural balance of self..
The tai chi enables one to bring the
principles of yin and yang back into their
fundamental natural harmony. The
ultimate effect of this harmony, according
to Taoism and Tai Chi, is one’s physical
and spiritual (psychological) well-being.
| Stress Management through Tai Chi Class Class leader, Dr. Larry C. Bobbert, has studied Tai Chi under sensei Randy Johnson, Mason Smith and Ron Boyd. Most of his study was in the Yang Style 24 movement form. You can learn more about Yang Style Tai Chi at web site http://drbobbert.com/CLASS/TAI CHi_files/TAI CHi.htm. The style taught in Stress Management through Tai Chi was developed from the study of various styles by the people listed above. The intermediate classes carry this forward while adding material adopted from an American Doctor who works with special needs and older people. The video used here is Tai Chi For Health Exercises. |
Click here to read more on the Development
of Tai Chi as an aid to Stress Management
of Tai Chi as an aid to Stress Management
| This site is a dynamic site--meaning that contents will change as more information can be made available. Come back! |
| Tai chi: Improved stress reduction, balance, agility for all The ancient art of tai chi (tie-chee) uses gentle flowing movements to reduce the stress of today's busy lifestyles and improve health. By Mayo Clinic staff The graceful images of people gliding through dance-like poses as they practice tai chi (TIE-chee) are compelling. Simply watching them is relaxing. Tai chi, in fact, is often described as "meditation in motion" because it promotes serenity through gentle movements — connecting the mind and body. Originally developed in China as a form of self-defense, tai chi is a graceful form of exercise that has existed for some 2,000 years. Practiced regularly, tai chi can help you reduce stress and enjoy other health benefits. Understanding tai chi Tai chi, … is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. Anyone, regardless of age or physical ability, can practice tai chi. It doesn't take physical prowess. Tai chi is used to: • Reduce stress • Increase flexibility • Improve muscle strength and definition • Increase energy, stamina and agility • Increase feelings of well-being To read more click button |
Dr. Larry C. Bobbert