Tai Chi
Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art often practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity. Tai chi is considered a soft style martial art, an art to harness your internal power called "chi" or "qi". It is a form of moving meditation. Focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form reportedly helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning the movement increases and opens the internal circulation and energy pathways stimulating health.
Introduction & History
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of “shadow boxing”. It is highly choreographed and is practiced slowly.
The early forms were developed by the Taoist Zhang San Feng (b. April 29, 1247) after he had joined a Shao-Lin Monastery in Ho-Nan. In Shao-Lin teachings, the five treasures are the five “Chuans” – animal fighting styles which exemplified the movements (these being the dragon, tiger, leopard, snake and crane). By melding Shao-Lin teachings with Taoism, Zhang San Feng developed the sixth Chuan – Tai Chi (the “Grand Ultimate” or “Great Fist”).
Over the centuries, three major styles of Tai Chi have been developed, these being the Chen, Yang and Wu styles. At In Focus Wellness Institute, we practice the classical Yang family style.
Modern Applications of Tai Chi
1) Martial – So, in an age of guns, why should one consider studying a martial art? A martial art teaches one disciplined movement which can be used for a number of reasons – strength, balance (useful in dance), breath control (useful for singing and playing wind instruments), flow, co-ordination, discipline, self control, expansion of one’s knowledge base etc. Rarely, one studies martial arts to learn how to beat up friends and family.
Because the motions in Tai Chi are slow, a muscle memory for the actions is trained, allowing for correct movements under duress. Similar slow motion training is used in music and dance to train muscle memory. Often, advanced martial artists will find their attentions drawn to either Tai Chi or Yoga in order to seek a higher level of training. These arts are called “internal” as much of the discipline is of the mind in its relationship to the body, rather than the relationship of a fighter to his foe.
2) Medicinal – In traditional western medicine, cultivation of strength, balance, and flow lead to more refined movement and posture, all of which enhance health. Beneficial exercise is always welcome. Similarly, in Asian medicine, flow of energy is enhanced through the practice of Tai Chi. A related but less martial and more medicinal practice of Qi Gong is taught at In Focus.
3) Philosophical – Tai Chi is derived from Taoist philosophies espoused by the book, the “Tao te Ching” by Lao Tzu. The philosophy is based upon an understanding of the nature of the world, and learning how to flow with this nature, rather than contend with it. Similarly, Tai Chi teaches how to yield to an opponent in order to gain advantage to overcome him.
4) Spiritual – There is a difference between a philosophy and a religion, and Taoism is more of a philosophy. Because of this, Tai Chi is not at odds with any religion, with members of In Focus representing Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Atheism, and Agnosticism, with the (very) odd Vendantist.