During your morning walks, you must have come across a whole bunch of people doing something that looks like graceful dance movements in slow motion. Well, that’s not exactly what it is. They are all taking Tai Chi classes. Tai chi is “an ancient Chinese martial arts form of meditation with a constant flow of energy and movement. It combines mental concentration, slow breathing and dance-like movements to increase chi (life energy).”

Don’t confuse tai chi with aerobics or with any other new-age fitness regimen. It is more of a therapy that helps us gain control over our minds and create a mind-body harmony. It helps de-stress and hence, is immensely popular.

So if you are one of those who feel fatigued most of the time or suffer from mood swings, sign up for tai chi classes and feel the difference. Sifu George Thomas, the Founder and President of Fu Sheng Yuan Tai Chi Academy (India), is the man behind tai chi’s popularity in Chennai.

Some people are so hooked on to it that they’d rather give up their evening’s outing than miss a class. George Thomas not only takes group classes, he also ties up with corporates to teach them a new way of life. Fu Sheng Yuan Tai Chi Academy, Shenoy Nagar, is another centre that offers tai chi classes.

Tai Chi is like meditation, except here you are moving your body, with smooth interplay of two vital energies, Yin and Yang. It’s a wonderful alternative to those who want to take up some form of exercise but are not too keen on stretching themselves inanely to Jane Fonda’s workout videos or joining the gym.

Set aside six months to learn tai chi, and you will be a master of 85 forms and 700 movements at the end of a session, and all set for the next level. Here’s what one of the students had to say, “Amidst all the holistic healers and modern medicine, tai chi came like a breath of fresh air. I wish I were introduced to it earlier.”

Ready for some life-changing lessons?