Although there are many different schools of both yoga and tai chi with different emphasis on certain types of positions, there are enough similarities between the schools to make a basis of comparison. Yoga positions demand more flexibility and athleticism to the point of being a gymnast while tai chi positions are easier for anyone to soon learn.

However, the benefits of learning wither yoga positions of tai chi positions are the same.

Yoga

Yoga is one of the oldest form of health and fitness ever written down by man or woman. It started in India thousands of years ago to develop not only mental and spiritual fitness, but physical fitness. By going into and holding one pretzel shape after another, you not only learn physical balance (yoga means balance), but learn to have more harmony with your place in the universe. There are various schools of yoga and levels of positions. If you cannot do some positions, don’t worry about it. Just doing the best you can do is better than not exercising at all.

Tai Chi

It is thought that tai chi first started in the early 1400’s by the Chinese master Chang Sen-feng. It is thought that Master Chang Sen-feng derived inspiration from the immortal spiritual classic The Tao Te Ching. From such seemingly contradictory advice as “Yield and Overcome/ Bend and be straight,” a subtle but effective fitness regimen was born to benefit not only soldiers and monks, but everyday folk, too.

Tai chi positions are usually referred to by their Chinese names, which may be initially off-putting to the Western student. They can be learnt very quickly, if the student keeps practicing. A majority of tai chi positions are done at a standing start and do not require limbs intertwining with others. You flow into the movement, from one tai chi position to another. Try not to think about doing it so much as just letting yourself do it.

Benefits

The benefits of both yoga positions and tai chi positions are about the same. They mean to calm you down, get proper perspective on life, as well as increasing body strength by teaching it to be more flexible and balanced. They are less stressful than an aerobic workout, but still works out almost every muscle group in the body.

So, by yielding to the flow of yoga or tai chi positions, you will learn to overcome helplessness, low self esteem and ill health caused by weak muscles and too much food.