2014, Volume 10

The meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family in physical activity of Poles



Józef Bergier1, Robert Panasiuk1, Michał Bergier1

1John Paul II State Higher Vocational School, Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland


Author for correspondence: Michał Bergier; John Paul II State Higher Vocational School, Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland; email: michalbergier[at]gmail.com


Full text

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: The wushu martial arts have a long history, and the effect of this long tradition is a number of new schools and styles. The main aim of the paper is to extend the knowledge on the meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family, for the people in Poland who prefer this kind of physical activity.
Material and methods: The study was conducted on 110 persons aged 20-90 (the average age amounted to 45.2 years), including 72 males and 38 females who practise taijiquan in various centres in Poland. The authors used their own straw poll, composed of 12 questions (6 open-ended questions and 6 closed-ended ones), and the specification.
Results: The main motive of taking up taijiquan by Poles is health improvement and fitness, as well as the interest in Oriental martial arts. For most practitioners it is, first of all, “internal martial art”, a form of Far Eastern meditation, the philosophy of life in today’s urbanized civilization. It is a form of physical activity available in Poland regardless of the age and occupation, becoming an integral part of their lifestyle and the only preferred form of physical activity.
Conclusions: The findings lead to the conclusion that taijiquan is such an attractive martial art in terms of health benefits that its further popularization may become the only or one of the main “life sports” not only for Poles.


Key words: health promotion, life sports, martial arts, motives, positive health


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Bergier J, Panasiuk R, Bergier M. The meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family in physical activity of Poles. ARCH BUDO. 2014;10

APA:

Bergier, J., Panasiuk, R., & Bergier, M. (2014). The meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family in physical activity of Poles. ARCH BUDO, 10

Chicago:

Bergier, Józef, Panasiuk Robert, Bergier Michał. 2014. "The meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family in physical activity of Poles". ARCH BUDO 10

Harvard:

Bergier, J., Panasiuk, R., and Bergier, M. (2014). The meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family in physical activity of Poles. ARCH BUDO, 10

MLA:

Bergier, Józef et al. "The meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family in physical activity of Poles." ARCH BUDO, vol. 10, 2014

Vancouver:

Bergier J, Panasiuk R, Bergier M. The meaning of taijiquan from the Chen family in physical activity of Poles. ARCH BUDO 2014; 10