Tai Chi and Everyday Life
Tai Chi
Tai Chi practice is based on Daoism and Yin Yang theory. Daoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy with key ideology reflected in “Dao De Jing” written by Lao Zi. It’s central idea is to live in harmony with Dao (道)- the Way (universal governing principles). The Chinese character Dao below reveals that Dao is within each person. The left side refers to the Way or Path. The right side refers to oneself. The Tai Chi symbol consists of Yin and Yang and indicates changes between Yin and Yang in a dynamic and complementary way. The image below presents White as Yang and Black as Yin. You can find Yin Yang examples everywhere. For example, in order of Yin and Yang, there is night and day, woman and man, stillness and movement, to name a few. Within Yin, there is Yang waiting for change and transformation, and vice versa.  Tai Chi practices Yin and Yang concept both externally and internally. For example, push one hand forwards and then move backwards. While your hand is reaching climax forwards (maximum Yang), the hand is also having a withdrawing force (Yin element within Yang) to reserve the state of transiting to the next movement (starting point of Yin). When the hand is moving backwards (increasing Yin), there is an expansion force within the hand (known as Peng Jin, expanding energy, Yang element within Yin). This simple hand movement illustrates how Yang transforms to Yin while complementary forces work together in harmony for change. Tai Chi practice is a truly holistic mind-body exercise. Nothing is not engaged through moving and non-moving motions. For instance, when pushing right hand forwards, the force roots from both feet, reaching up through the legs to the waist and torso, then passing shoulders and arms, and eventually arrives at the hand. This process requires focus and enhanced alertness, a good level of nervous conduction sensitivity, muscular flexibility, and body coordination. Tai Chi is like water with continuity and fluidity. The above-mentioned example illustrates Tai Chi in moving motion. How can Tai Chi be holistic in non-moving motion? Is it possible to move without moving? The answer is Yes. A typical example is “Zhan Zhuang” (站桩), namely Standing Pose. Imagine standing still like a tree or hugging a tree. Would you say there is nothing happening within the tree while all you can see is a still tree? As you know, there are vital forces going through the tree. Tai Chi Zhan Zhuang is like a still tree. While being still outside, all internal stretching, circulating and flowing forces take place activated by intent and good body posture. This process changes the state of mind and the state of the body simultaneously.  As the state of the body slows down and becomes still, the breath becomes deeper and calmer, as well as the mind. The state of mind changes from the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response, providing a burst of energy) to the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest response, becoming tranquil). The calming state of mind relaxes the body further. When the mind and body are in unison, the healing begins, and one becomes clear, grounded and deeply relaxed. “All motion ends in stillness while stillness ends in motion.” Though most people today practice Tai Chi for the great heath benefits, and for self- and spiritual development, it is equally important to know Tai Chi originates as a Chinese martial art and is used for self-defence over centuries. The most commonly practiced Tai Chi is called Tai Chi Chuan (in Chinese, Taiji Quan 太极拳)，referring to an empty-handed sequences known as the form, characterized with well-balanced, continuous and flowing movements. An integrated part of Tai Chi practice is Pushing Hands, which consists of two people sparring each other, aiming at sensing hands/energy, deflecting incoming force, and attacking, when necessary, through weak points of the opponent. Tai Chi has many weapons for practice, such as Sword (single, double, hook), Sabre (single and double), Fan, Dagger, Ranseur, Staff, Spear, Short and Long Stick. Tai Chi sword is probably one of the most popular weapons practiced in the West. There are various styles of Tai Chi Chuan. Some Tai Chi styles are featured as gentle, graceful, and flowing. Other styles, such as Chen Style Tai Chi, contain explosive movements called Fa Jing. Fa means to release, and Jing refers to internal force, so Fa Jing manifests sudden explosive releases of internal force. Some people mistakenly think Tai Chi as soft and practiced only by the weak or the old. On the contrary, all Tai Chi movements are well-controlled, measured, and dynamic, and require, whoever practices it, to have a calm and focused mind. This holistic approach builds self-confidence and empowerment for everyone, assists the weak to become strong and the strong becomes stronger.  FAQ For anyone who wants to start their Tai Chi journey, it would probably take six to ten weeks to see a noticeable health improvement. What are the health benefits of Tai Chi? It is difficult to include all the health benefits that my students and other Tai Chi practitioners have shared with me. The list would be very long. What do robust and peer-reviewed research studies say about Tai Chi’s health benefits? A literature review published at the Can Fam Physician (2016 Nov; 62 (11): 881-890), reviews 120 systematic reviews over the past 45 years with the conclusions as below: • Excellent evidence of benefit for preventing falls, osteoarthritis, Parkinson disease, rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and improving cognitive capacity in older adults. Improve balance and aerobic capacity. • Good evidence of benefit for depression, cardiac and stroke rehabilitation, and dementia. Increased strength in the lower limbs. • Fair evidence of benefit for improving quality of life for cancer patients, fibromyalgia, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Increased well-being and improved sleep. Tai Chi strengthens people inside out and brings clarity and calmness into everyday life. The benefits of Tai Chi practice are not limited to class time. Its emphasis on mind – body connection, deep breathing and good body alignment/posture, grounding and balance, lead to true power in life. That is everyday in life, living with confidence, calm mind, good health, and contentment. When Master Peter Wu demonstrated his Fa Jing (explosive force) at our February workshop in Adelaide, he could throw people out in a blink of an eye. They couldn’t do anything but kneel defenselessly by his single hand, regardless how young and strong they seem to be, and how hard they tried to push him. In fact, most of the participants are 20-30 years younger than him. One of the recent interviews I did with Norman, a 90-year young man is an inspiration for all (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRCnYbbqyrI&t=2s). Norman reminds me of his natural lifestyle for delayed gratification. What is the old saying? He who laughs last, laughs best. If you want to experience Tai Chi practice, feel free to contact Meridian Connection Tai Chi school and join us for a free come and try lesson. Information about us and classes are available at www.meridian-connection.com.au. by Fang Qin, founder of Meridian Connection Tai Chi School  |
