Tai Chi has been called ‘meditation in motion’. It is slow motion mime of the martial art movements and stresses slowness, lightness, clarity, balance and calmness. There are no harsh, strenuous or jerking movements, no heavy breathing, so it is ideal to do during pregnancy. Tai Chi also can be done inside or outside and needs no special equipment.

Beng Yan, wife of Master Chin Min is currently teaching Tai Chi at the College Day classes. According to Beng Yan, Tai Chi during pregnancy has many benefits, including:

* helping to keep the body fit - it doesn’t build muscles, but does build strength, and makes you feel more alert and rejuvenated.

* the art of relaxation is one of the major benefits which even beginners experience almost immediately - being relaxed is obviously of benefit during pregnancy and can help labour progress.

* corrective breathing makes you breathe more deeply and gets more oxygen into the body and hence more oxygen to the baby. Deep breathing techniques can also assist the expectant mother during labor.

* posture control is of help because many pregnant women complain of lower back pain. Tai Chi builds good posture in a gentle way and tones muscles, increases flexibility and suppleness

* foot exercise and foot massage in Tai Chi is helpful during pregnancy because the common complaints are poor circulation, sore legs and varicose veins.

* Tai Chi helps strengthen the thigh and during pregnancy lifting objects is often difficult and it is advisable to keep the backstraight and bend the knees; therefore strong thighs are an asset.

* Tai Chi’s arm exercise help build strength in the arms and upper body so that after the baby is born you have strong arms and when carrying baby it lessen the strain on your back.

The original article "Tai Chi in Pregnancy" published by the Celestial Tai Chi College of Australia, was found at http://www.taichi-celestial.com.au/pregnant.htm