Taijiquan getting an all new workout

The Chinese martial art Taijiquan, or Tai Chi, characterized by its slow movements and practiced as a method of exercise, is enjoying a second boom in Japan.</PARAGRAPH> <PHOTO> <TABLE WIDTH='250' ALIGN='RIGHT' BORDER='0'> <TR> <TD><IMG ALT='News photo' BORDER='0' SRC='../images/photos2006/nn20061207f2a.jpg' WIDTH='250' HEIGHT='171'/></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>Adherents take part in the Shibuya Taikyokuken –

Festival in Tokyo on Nov. 23. KYODO PHOTOS

A special event called the Shibuya Taikyokuken (Taijiquan) Festival was held in Tokyo last month to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "24-style simplified Taijiquan," which was derived from China's traditional martial arts for people interested in strengthening body and mind by practicing its slow routines and deep inhalation.