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**NETvoyne** · 09-21-2011, 06:55 AM

Actually, very little good science has been done regarding the alleged "powers" of tai chi. There have been a lot of horribly-designed and pre-biased studies, but very little actual controlled study. What I have seen indicates that, while tai chi can be an effective exercise program, it is not inherently superior to other exercise programs except when high impact or high initial energy requirements are an issue. There is an actual risk specific to tai chi--it seems that chronic knee damage is more common among long-term tai chi practitioners. As for perceptions of "energy" and "alertness", they could easily be a placebo phenomenon. Practitioners expect to "gain energy" and "be more alert", so they are.

If one does it properly and is taught properly the results are unmistakable. (the knees issue is a problem if one is not properly balancing the body in the knees bent position by the work of large supportive muscles in the back, but making the small muscles hold up the whole structure...if one watches a child bend its knees this is the best proper example) The more interesting question is whether the Qi or 'universal life force' energy as undertsood and experienced from the Chinese metaphysics is something demonic or not...How does one 'test' such a thing?

09-21-2011, 06:55 AM	#16
NETvoyne Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 535 Senior Member	Actually, very little good science has been done regarding the alleged "powers" of tai chi. There have been a lot of horribly-designed and pre-biased studies, but very little actual controlled study. What I have seen indicates that, while tai chi can be an effective exercise program, it is not inherently superior to other exercise programs except when high impact or high initial energy requirements are an issue. There is an actual risk specific to tai chi--it seems that chronic knee damage is more common among long-term tai chi practitioners. As for perceptions of "energy" and "alertness", they could easily be a placebo phenomenon. Practitioners expect to "gain energy" and "be more alert", so they are. If one does it properly and is taught properly the results are unmistakable. (the knees issue is a problem if one is not properly balancing the body in the knees bent position by the work of large supportive muscles in the back, but making the small muscles hold up the whole structure...if one watches a child bend its knees this is the best proper example) The more interesting question is whether the Qi or 'universal life force' energy as undertsood and experienced from the Chinese metaphysics is something demonic or not...How does one 'test' such a thing?
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