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This ancient martial art form is no longer the domain of the elderly. Modified moves and classes that incorporate yoga and pilates elements are attracting working folk in their 20s and 30s
At the Fitness First gym in the shopping mall Paragon, a motley group of 25 people, from students to middle-aged women, move their arms and legs in slow synchronisation.
In the background is new age electronic music from Conjure One, as they move in rhythm to the principles of yin and yang, transferring their weight and focus.
The session also incorporates pilates and yoga elements. Instructions are in English. The instructor takes participants through the moves, using terms such as “energy flow” instead of “qi”.
This is taiji – but served up differently. It does not just consist of the slow-moves you see executed by older folk on basketball courts. And more young people are picking it up.
NewAge Taichi sports director Yip See Kit, 29, said that 40 per cent of his students are younger than 40. Mr Ang Hao Yao, 37, of Singapore Jian Chuan Tai Chi Chuan Physical Culture Association said half of his new students are under 40.
Traditional practitioners may scoff at the modern take on taiji.
“You can learn other exercises like yoga and pilates while you’re learning taiji, but do it separately,” said 72-year-old taiji master Rennie Chong, who has been teaching the art form for more than half a century.
He said that some taiji basics, such as hand movements, may be lost in the mix. Other practitioners feel otherwise.
“Whether it is fusion or modified, what is more important is that it’s safe and the practitioners see benefits,” said Mr Yip.
Fusion or not, the exercise is fine as long as it adheres to scientific sports principles, he added. Examples of such principles include pushing the physical limits of a person so that he can progress and ensuring the person is getting enough rest and nutrition.
Youth appeal
With this change in the image of taiji, more young people have jumped on the bandwagon.
Twenty-six-year-old retail consultant Andre Darmono took on taiji because he felt his busy lifestyle made him sluggish and easily tired. Taiji taught him to breathe more deeply and now he feels invigorated the entire day. “My body has become more flexible. I am no longer stiff and have learnt how to relax,” he said.
Taiji, circa the 13th century, is catching on, whether as a fad or because more now believe in its curative or therapeutic power.
Last year, more than 50 community clubs here held taiji classes, which attracted more than 2,200 participants.
In May this year, about 1,800 people took part in a taiji mass display organised by the People’s Association (PA).
Health benefits
The core of the art form is in the hand movements, which direct energy or qi to the various organs, said Mr Chong.
“In the past, people learnt taiji for defence. Now, most people pick it up for its health benefits,” said the taiji master who is also an acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.
Dr Lau Tang Ching, a senior consultant rheumatologist at the National University Hospital, listed stronger muscles and bones, improved balance and reduction of chronic pain and joint stiffness as some of the long-term benefits.
A study published in the British Journal Of Sports Medicine in 2008 found that hypertensive and diabetic patients had lower blood pressures and blood glucose levels after 12 weeks of taiji.
Study participants also lost an average of 3kg and said they could sleep better, had more energy, felt less pain and had fewer food cravings. It said that exercisein general helps to control the metabolism of sugar and blood sugar levels in the body.
Likewise, a 2002 study in the Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation found that post-menopausal women who practised taiji had up to almost 15 per cent higher bone mineral density than those who did not.
Exercise in general is known to stimulate calcium retention and bone formation in bones which are constantly acted upon by the muscles.
In this vein, PA has introduced simplified forms of taiji at community clubs to combat diabetes, osteoporosis and arthritis.
French Canadian Helene Larivee, 59, an arts management consultant, picked up taiji more than 10 years ago.
“Taiji helps me with my physical skills like balance, coordination and stability, and cerebral skills like concentration and memory,” she said.
Taiji for everyone
Dr Lau says that anyone who can walk comfortably can practise taiji. However, those with prior medical conditions or doubts should check with a doctor first, he said.
For best results, he recommends 20 minutes of practice daily, although two sessions a week would already yield some benefits.
Mr Ang suggested that people who are used to a sedentary lifestyle can practise the breathing techniques or do the taiji warm-up exercises and lighter movements. Those who are more active can do the flying leaps, joint locks or foot sweeps associated with the more vigorous styles.
Undergraduate James Phua, 24, signed up for taiji classes early this year after being inspired by Chinese films and dramas featuring this art.
“It looks so gentle on the outside but... there are many fast moves that you can make. At the end of every session, I am always dripping with sweat,” he said.
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