Tai Chi Clothing What You Need To Know

Tai Chi Clothing

The great thing about practicing any type of tai chi is that you don't need any special type of tai chi clothing. However you will see more and more stores both offline and online that are claiming to specialize in tai chi clothing. This is more of a western conceit as a uniform to practice tai chi clothing is not mandatory. In fact it was developed as an internal martial art, which was a reaction to the more rigid forms of martial arts that did require formal costumes or military garb as part of its ritual.

There is really only one cardinal rule when it comes to tai chi clothing and that is not to wear anything that is too tight. Tight clothes obstruct blood flow and circulation, reduce energy or chi flow and hamper the ability of the body to function, as it should. Most importantly, tight clothes reduce our ability to breathe fully and deeply. Tights, leggings and nylon leotards are not the thing to wear to your typical Tai Chi class. Your skin needs to respirate and breathe which is difficult for it to do if you are wearing Lycra.

Unfortunately most exercise clothes on the market are not exactly loose. This is especially true for women. Forget what the fashion industry dictates that women must wear to exercise class. Tight shirts and shorts will simply sabotage all of your Tai Chi moves. Purchase clothes that feel loose and comfortable instead or simply wear baggy old T-shirts and pants (preferably made out of cotton.) That is what the indigenous practitioners of China wear when they practice Tai Chi whether they be a grand master of the art or just an ordinary citizen working out at sunrise in a park.

A good tai chi outfit for a man or woman who wants to practice tai chi would be track pants and a loose T shirt. Women should avoid wearing a tight bra as it can constrict their breathing. In fact it is best to go braless when practicing tai chi. Yoga pants are also a good thing for a woman to wear while practicing tai chi.

When it comes to tai chi clothing you might want to pay attention to what is on your feet. You should never practice in sock feet as you could slip, especially if you are performing them moves on slippery wood or vinyl floor. Most people in the world kick off their shoes to do tai chi. It helps them connect to their center and feel how their body is dealing with gravity better as they go through the various movements and postures.

If you do wear shoes try to choose a simple pair with a flat thin sole. You can buy these as either slip on or buckle up shoes in your local China Town for less than five bucks a pair. These usually have sole that has a bit of grip to them, but the sole is also thin enough to allow you to easily perform the slow spins and graceful turns that are so much a part of tai chi routines.