Entertainment articles

Tai Chi in the Modern World

Gone are the days wherein Tai Chi is only recognized within the homes of those who made it. Tai Chi have become very popular to people nowadays. It is not recognized as a way of exercising but of treating and preventing certain ailments that can’t be done through ordinary medications alone. With all of its proven advantages and outcomes, Tai Chi was recognized as an exercise that doesn’t merely involve physical strength and outcome but also inner strength. Not only have Tai Chi become famous in the treatment industry but also in sports and tournaments.

Tai Chi in the Medical Aspect

Tai Chi grew as one of the most effective exercise to treat, prevent and boost certain systems in the human’s body. Classes were included in hospital programs that involve arthritis problems as their main course. It is also popular in clinics, senior and community centers and as well as those places wherein stress management is applied.

Stress, one of the leading causes of many ailments today is present almost everywhere. It can be a pinch or a bundle of stress. It is common in workplaces wherein you meet deadlines every waking day. It has been concluded that, with the help of the principles of Tai Chi and what it is doing to the body, stress can be reduced or better yet, eliminated and prevented. Some of these workplaces include Tai Chi as one of their programs for their beloved employees.

Self-defense, Aesthetic or Physical and Mental Benefits?

Tai Chi is both. Although, the result of its popularity in the modern world made people’s opinion has broken into three dividing beliefs. This is true especially to those who are already applying and practicing it. But however the opinions may pave its way, it always depends on how it is done. If you are practicing Tai Chi because you wanted peace of mind, body and soul, then be it. If you are using it for aesthetic (wushu) purposes, then let it be done that way. But if you enrolled in a Tai Chi class because you believe in the power of Tai Chi to help you get through defending yourself, then, for you, Tai Chi is for self-defense.

Thing is, wushu is made only for show. The forms that were done and taught are all designed to amass points in a competition. Wushu techniques are really not concerned with any of the physical, mental and martial art aspect of Tai Chi. Instead, it is done to impress judges of certain tournaments.

But traditional stylists has this belief that martial arts and health are strictly necessary in the convergence of Tai Chi. Elements of the yin and yang must be there. Tai Chi schools still include their teachings in a martial art concept whatever their students’ intentions may be.

Tai Chi, like Yoga, is one of the fastest and most famous growing health maintenance and fitness program in the U.S.

Tournaments

A standardized form of Tai Chi competition, wushu had made it big as a Chinese sport. Rules for the competition were made to be succeeded within six minutes. It was formed by the Chinese Sports Committee and made many different forms of the competition.

Modern versions have become a very integral part of the international tournament. Tai Chi has also been included in movies and in very important competitions like the Asian Games.

Dancing with the Stars Around the World

With the huge popularity that the show has received it is possible to find versions of Dancing with the Stars in several different countries. With the success sweeping the world the show is popping up in areas that it never would have before. While the original version is based out of the United Kingdom there have been franchises sold all around the world, which have further expanded the popularity of the show.

Australia – The show features four judges and has successfully finished seven seasons so far. The very first season started in late 2004 and has run up until late 2007 so far.

Austria – This version finds a total of three judges with two hosts handling the show. Season one hit the airwaves in the fall of 2005 and the show has so far enjoyed four successful seasons.

Brazil – Up against a history of five successful seasons, the show marches on further.

Chile – With the very first season starting on October 16, 2006, the show has been going strong ever since. A total of four seasons has so far been completed.

China – The first season hit the airwaves in the end of 2007. This was intended to mark the anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China from the United Kingdom. The show is released under a joint venture between Hong Kong’s TVB and mainland’s Hunan TV. Each station sends a total of five women and five men to the competition for a total of 20 competitors or 10 couples. The actual match-ups are handled by SMS voting before the show begins.

Croatia – Features two hosts and four judges the first season kicked off on December 2, 2006. The show began with eight couples paired together. Season two started on November 3, 2007 and again featured eight couples dancing together.

Czech Republic – Season one danced to begin during the winter of 2006 and season two started a year later in the winter of 2007. Each season featured eight couples and also four judges. Two hosts were also used for the show.

Denmark – After starting in the Spring of 2005, the series began with seven couples. At the conclusion of season four there were eleven couples competing. A Christmas Galla in 2007 featured six couples. There were three standard judges in the competition; however, occasional guest judges were used as well.

Estonia – Begun in the Fall of 2006 the show began with eight couples including several politicians and season two started on October 7, 2007.

Finland – Started in the Spring of 2006 it first featured eight couples partnered together. The second season also featured eight couples. However, when season three began in the Spring of 2008 it featured ten couples.

Germany – With season one started with eight contestants in April 2006 and season two began in May of 2006. Season two expanded to ten couples.

Italy – The first season aired on Autumn 2004 and featured a start of eight couples. For season two there was a total of twelve couples. Season three offered fourteen couples and season five offered again twelve couples.

The Netherlands – With a series first starting in the late summer of 2005. There have so far been a total of three full seasons and two additional specials.

As you can see, this is just a small list and it has spanned a large percentage of the world.