YOGA TIPS

YOGA VS. SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS AND TAI CHI

The origins of the practice of yoga can be traced to India over 6000 years ago. The first written text containing reference to yoga appeared about the second century BCE and has been around in Western culture since the early twentieth century. Tai chi developed several centuries later, around the 12th century CE, making yoga considerably older. While certain legends surround the development of Shaolin martial arts in China, Tai Chi saw its development rise from the work of Zhang Sanfeng, a Chinese Taoist priest and only became a popular form of exercise in the west about 20 years ago. Shaolin martial arts are commonly believed to be derived from techniques developed by an Indian monk named Bodhidharma; however this fact is disputed by many Shaolin historians.

Both yoga and tai chi focus on slow, sustained, controlled movements and breathing. Yoga and tai chi have similar health benefits such as increased strength and range of motion, a reduction in stress hormone levels, and increased circulation and lung capacity (a result of the controlled deep breathing). Yoga and tai chi also both have a relaxing and calming effect on the mind.

Shaolin martial arts, however, focus generally on various forms of hand to hand combat. While certainly this ranks as a great form of exercise, it isn’t for everyone. Kung Fu, one form of Shaolin martial arts, is widely known through its portrayal in Western film.

While differences exist in these three forms of exercise, thought and meditation exist in all. Generally seen as basic part of yoga, meditation is also an important part of tai chi, especially when practiced by Buddhists. Shaolin martial arts does not specifically call for meditation, but those who practice Shaolin martial arts in its truest form (monks), rely on meditation to provide them with inner peace and the ability to perform difficult maneuvers.

When choosing which program you wish to participate in, you may want to take into account your physical condition. While yoga and Tai chi can be taken up by almost anyone, the more strenuous Shaolin martial are generally for those who are very physically fit. Yoga and tai chi are both based in specific movements and stances and have branched off into different forms.

Common forms of yoga are Ashtanga, Hatha, and Bikram. Tai chi is divided into the Yang style, the Chen style, and the Wu style, which are named after the different families who developed them. The Shaolin martial arts whose development, again, is shrouded in some controversy, is also diverse in its forms, but all seem to stem from ancient forms of combat developed by Chinese monks.

Yoga and tai chi have very many similarities and you can draw your own conclusions as to which form of exercise will better suit your needs. You will find many areas of the country where tai chi instruction is hard to find, as its development in the United States has been slow, however, certain parts of the country have a yoga studio every few blocks.

Christine Dignam

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