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Guy Van Gogh
What is /fit/'s thoughts on various exercises such as Tai Chi? I'm looking to get into one to increase flexibility and relax myself.

Suggestions? Links?
>> Anonymous
Go as deep as you can in the stances and do it slow and as relaxed as possible(no muscular tension anywhere, just move your body around naturally and freely). Before doing any forms or exercises stretch out and warm up all parts of your body, beginning from your toes and going all the way up to your neck. That will bring you flexibility. Tai chi is a study of motion, balance, application of force, and how all three interplay. You will be studying how to use your maximum strength(martial arts wise) by using your entire body in correct alignment. Your posture will improve. Your mental health will improve by focusing only on the form you are doing at the time and nothing else. If you take this advice and practice dilligently you will often feel strange and wonderous sensations, I know that I do when I do Tai Chi. Tai Chi is also a opportunity for your body to regroup and stimulate itself in other ways rather than strenuous methods of exercise, to make new neural connections in your brain that will make motion and thought easier.
>> Anonymous
My thoughts? Good thing to get into. :D
>> Anonymous
>>1454
It depends on what you want out of it. Tai Chi and Yoga are very good stretches/exercises... But it entirely depends on what you're planning on getting out of it.
>> Anonymous
tai chi is great. you need a lot of space and an instruction video, but it's pretty slow movements so easily picked up.
>> Anonymous
Get an actual instructor. Tapes are only a study guide.
>> Anonymous
>>1454
In addition to what tons of anons have said already, I played my best tennis when I also studied taijiquan.

My reactions were faster (so better net game and service returns), my leg endurance was greater, and my spine felt elongated and I felt in total control of my body on the court.

Sort of like how pro football players do ballet, I think tennis players should study taijiquan.
>> Anonymous
>>2330
Agreed. Without an instructor, you can actually injure your knees from doing it wrong.
>> aglaophotus kun
don't be a pansy, train in jeet kun do
>> Anonymous
Its good. If you keep at it your hamstrings will be stronger and it will increase endurance.
>> Anonymous
>>2367

It isn't about being a pansy. Even mountains crumble with enough time, machinery breaks down if not properly mantained. Also you can't get something from nothing, everything in what people call the 'style' of jeet kune do was gleaned from other martial practices. Jeet kune do is just a philosophy that you can achieve by experiencing different martial practices and getting sound ideas out of said martial practices.
>> Anonymous
http://www.youtube.com/user/douggard
some videos of relevance
>> Anonymous
Does anyone else here do pushups on their toe tips and fingertips?

also kickin it old school tai chi style:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USJPmCZ6Efc