Many parents struggle trying to find an affordable, positive, and constructive outlet for their children. Tai Chi is an excellent way to channel your child's emotions and energy. This type of martial art offers an alternative for children that traditional activities such as sports do not provide.
Ten Year Old Boy Performs Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient form of exercise that promotes fluid movements and harmony of the body and mind. It does not promote competition and allows your child to work at his or her own pace. It is a gentle from of physical exercise that consists of movements and postures that are slow yet graceful.
Pictured are Diarmuid Mulcahy , Daniel Mulcahy,Niall O'Floinn
Studies have shown that it helps children with focus and increases their level of concentration. It actually consists of over 74 movements or postures. Learning these movements requires a level of concentration and is also a form of meditation that teaches children to center their attention. It can also teach them how to reduce their anxiety and remain calm in stressful situations. Many children are faced with high levels of stress each day and find they are unable to deal with the effects. Tai Chi reduces stress because it allows you to bring your mind and body into one accord by focusing on various movements and breathing.
Twelve Year Old Girl Performs Chen Sytle Tai Chi Form
Two images above are Niall working with teenagers in Colegio estadual de Parana, Brazils oldest and largest public school.
Tai Chi allows children to get rid of excessive energy and aggression in a healthy and positive manner. It provides a therapeutic method of stimulation to bring about calmness. It can also help children boost their confidence and self-esteem. Children in this day and age often struggle with perceptions of their body image as well as being accepted by peers at school. The movements and posture of type of martial arts exercise put you in touch with your body and mind. Tai Chi for children also helps them to become better co-coordinated on both sides of their body. Each movement or posture of Tai Chi helps to optimize your entire body.
Because Tai Chi requires so many movements it helps to bring about relaxation. It is a form of exercise that is not strenuous and anyone can participate.
Below are some testimonials from teenagers and kids who study at the Galway Tai Chi Academy
[By Muirinn Kenny who joined the Academy at age 14 and wrote this testimonial at age 18]
WHY DID YOU START?
I had tried other martial arts such as Judo and Karate, but always lost interest relatively quickly. The poster I saw advertising Tai Chi intrigued me and after attending a demonstration, shocked by the seemingly effortless power that can be acquired in Tai Chi, I joined.
WHY DO YOU PERSONALLY LIKE IT?
For me, Tai Chi is a great way of keeping fit and flexible without having to run a marathon. I found it helped me mature and learn a self discipline, and I become more comfortable with myself the more I understand how my body is working. Most of all I just find it very interesting, you learn a lot about your own biology and Tai Chi has made me become very interested in many Chinese practices such as with acupuncture or the religion Taoism, which it has links to .
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED/ HOW HAVE YOU BENEFITED?
I have learned that internal energy (chi) does exist; even I too was sceptical at first. Once you discover the joys of Tai Chi you become a whole new person. After joining, my sleeping pattern improved hugely and I was a lot happier and less stressed than before. It becomes a huge part of you’re life, almost an addiction, you feel amazing afterwards. I never cease to be amazed by new things in Tai Chi.
WHY DO YOU THINK TAI CHI WOULD BE GOOD FOR TEENS?
I think being involved in Tai Chi from a young age is a great idea, as I feel it can really enhance your well being at a very essential time of growth and understanding, and help you to grow into a better person, both mentally and physically. Tai Chi was great for me to have as a stress release from exams or confused adolescent life, it is a wonderful escape into yourself.
Working with Niall in such a friendly environment is a great experience, and I have made many friends over the years. And if it wasn’t enough to be taught by a student of Master Wang Hai Jun, it is a complete honour to be able to do seminars with the Master himself.
Tai Chi is not only fun and enriching, it is one of the most interesting martial arts in the world and it is my biggest pleasure to be involved in it.
[By Eleanor Mooney]
"Hi my name is Eleanor. I am 11 years old. I first started tai chi when I was 9. I saw my uncle practicing tai chi and I copied what he was doing. He told me that there was a teacher called Niall in Galway and that I could learn it with him. My Mom had to come with me and we joined the class together. It's calming and relaxing. I found that it was a martial art but it was defense so you didn't have hurt anyone. It has helped me to use my centre when lifting or playing other sports. I am stronger now and when I practice I feel calm but also kind of powerful. Tai chi is one of the best martial arts that I know about and it is one of the best things that I have ever learnt to do".
[By Paddy and Geraldine Mcdermott]
" Our son Cormac started 5 years ago at age 8, as we were looking for a martial art that would help develop his balance and co-ordination growing up. - Cormac enjoys the different nature of the exercise and the respectful atmosphere experienced. - His balance has improved appreciably and his flexibility has also benefitted. He also enjoys the interface with the adult group, who always treat him very well. - Tai Chi provides a great opportunity for teenagers to improve co-ordination and experience respect in a less regimented environment than other martial arts.
Finally we have heard that the key element of development in martial arts is the respect and relationship developed with the teacher or master. With both yourself and Master Wang involved in Cormac's development, we feel it is a great opportunity for him to evolve with enlightened teachers".
[By Diarmuid Mulcahy and his son Daniel]
What attracted you to TaiChi: Both Daniel and I have a strong interest in Eastern philosophy, martial arts and spirituality. We saw an advertisement for an open evening in TaiChi a few years ago and decided to go along. At the evening, we both saw something we wanted to get involved with and also met with a teacher who seemed to be getting a huge amount from both TaiChi and from teaching. We decided to start taking classes, and nearly two and a half years later are still doing it.
Why do you personally like it? Daniel: TaiChi is one of the things I look forward to during the week. It is very good for destressing and getting your mind off other things. It is also very good for getting aches and pains out of the body. Diarmaid: TaiChi for me acts like a fairly intense workout, but also is very good for clearing my mind and destressing. While TaiChi is all about slow and exact movements, as my technique and experience has increased, I can feel the benefit overall from a fitness and wellbeing standpoint. I also see how it has benefited Daniel in physical development, coordination, and also in social interaction with people who share his interest in martial arts etc.
What have you learned or how benefitted? We have both learned a number of different TaiChi techniques and movements/forms. We have also learned much more about how to move our bodies in the correct way and how much easier it is to do physical things when you understand this. It is also a very good thing to do as father and son and a very good experience to share.
Why TaiChi good for teenager to learn?
Diarmaid: I see how TaiChi has helped Daniel develop in a number of ways. I think particularly it is an excellent form of exercise, and is also very good fun and good to work out stress. I know Daniel really looks forward to his TaiChi classes, and particularly advanced seminars with teachers like Master Wang. I see it helping him to develop in so many ways, and I think it can benefit many other teenagers also
