TaiChiEssentials

TaiChi for wellness: a video of The First Seven Movements of Grasping the SwallowsTail

2007-03-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

TaiChi for Your Health and Wellness

Tai Chi Nouvel An Chinois Chinese newyear Year of the Pig of Fire

2007-03-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

Tai Chi Nouvel An Chinois COCHON d'Or 07
Uploaded by Futurshow

Happy Chinese new year my friends...
Delight! Now it's the Year of the Pig of Fire...
-Take a few moments and breath in this wonderful performance and take heart

It's Natural for You to Have Chi Flow

2007-01-31T18:28:00.000-08:00

Understanding six factors that block the flow of Qi.

Your body has channels. You have twelve main channels. Each of your channels works 2 hours a day and then passes to your next channel.

See a cycle moving…flowing .

Nature

Your channels send energy to every part of the body and keep the your body in a good shape. When energy runs well and smoothly in the body, we feel so well.

When energy is blocked in the channels, we feel badly or we say: “I’m feeling sick” . Now here comes the question, “What generally blocks your energy flow?”

1. Emotion

2. Nutrition

3. Changes in the season or weather

4. Environment

5. Wrong medication

6. Injury

Tai Chi and You...Retain Walking Stability through Tai Chi

2007-01-20T06:06:00.000-08:00

All of us were born, as very young children, with our body, mind and emotions functioning together without strain. At birth, our baby joints are open – there are spaces between each bone at the joints. These spaces permit passage through the birth canal. However, as soon as we begin to accumulate tensions, our naturally straight, flexible and balanced bodies when we were young children, goes through a process of deterioration. Deterioration happens through tightening of the joints, stiffening of the body and losing mobility. In Chinese, this deterioration means that our “chi” or the flow of blood and energy in our bodies become blocked. Gradually, this blockage develops into diseases – ultimately resulting to death…tsk…tsk…

However, before you say, “but that’s the way of life” … think again. Instead of seeing ourselves waste away, losing the stability to walk properly and losing the strength of our bones to support us, we could really declare, “never say die!” and we could really sustain our strengths for walking stability through natural methods.

How? The answer lies on the Ancient Chinese view of health. They practice a system of exercise based on the principles of yin and yang or simply by having the body be in harmony with the laws of nature called T’ai Chi Chuan. Through the gentle, flowing movements of the T’ai Chi, the body and joints relax and loosen, thereby stimulating circulation, building stability in the legs and developing an awareness of internal strength. Older people practicing T’ai Chi achieve more grace in walking, surer balance and greater confidence in moving, as if the process of aging can be reversed.

In fact, it is said that those who practice T’ai Chi, young or old, sick or well have restored flexibility of their joints, relaxed muscles and their bodies gain true alignment with gravity. They develop the flexibility of a child, the strength of a lumberjack and the wisdom of a sage.

Professor Cheng Man ch’ing, the late and well known Grand Master of T’ai Chi Chuan have recognized that the benefits of T’ai Chi should be spread throughout. As such, he worked on distilling the essence of T’ai Chi Chuan. He came up with “The Eight Ways of T’ai Chi Chuan”. Each of the movement in the eight ways work on three major problems faced by the aging or the sick: loss of equilibrium, stiffness of the joints and weakness of muscles and fear of falling and injury. The eight ways work on maintaining stability of the legs, since the adage that the individual has health as long as he or she has legs is an important element of truth. Once the use of legs is lost, health may fail dramatically, too.

You could enroll in a nearby health center or schools offering “The Eight Ways of T’ai Chi Chuan”. Once you rediscover the power of your legs and eventually overcome its frailties, you might also come to stop investing lots of money on walking aids and other such devices. -30-

About the author:
Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager. Writing in it helped sort out her thoughts, relieve her feelings and record what she observes of the world.

For her, writing is an effective tool to express your viewpoints... To write is already to choose, thus, writing should be done along with a critical mind and a caring soul. She hopes to become more professional, skilled and mature in her craft.

Aside from writing Kay likes to spend her time reading. Reading lets her travel to far-off imagined places and situations. She also learns a lot from books, especially from the socio-political and historical ones.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.walkingaidsplus.com/

Written by: Kay Zetkin

Why You Should Learn Tai Chi

2006-11-20T05:05:00.000-08:00

Why You Should Learn Tai Chi
Tai Chi combines movement, meditation and breathing, to enhance the flow of vital energy in the body, to increase both physical and mental well-being.

Tai Chi is one of the most broadly applicable systems of self-care in the world and is suitable for both young and old alike.

In China, it is estimated that 300 million people alone practice Tai Chi.

Tai Chi however is not just practised in China, in the 20th century it spread throughout the world and as we enter the 21st century, it is more popular than ever.

Tai Chi - The Form
There are several styles of movement and approaches to Tai Chi, some of them historic and some developed in recent years.

Each has its own individual charteristics and carries the name of the clan or family who developed it i.e. Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun etc.

All the principles of Tai Chi are put into practice in a non stop sequence of moves called the form.

Each Tai Chi style has its own distinctive way of presenting the form in terms of: The postures included, the order in which they appear, the way they are performed and finally, how long the form actually takes to complete.

Although the different styles of Tai Chi present the form in different ways, the purpose and the philosophy behind them is the same.

Tai Chi & Health
When Tai Chi is practised, the movement creates streams of energy to flow through the body.

In the philosophy of Tai Chi, it is said Chi (life energy) follows the mind, each posture and movement creates a different energy flow that, has a benifital overall affect on overall well-being.

Tai Chi stimulates circulation, aligns the skeleton and joints correctly, stimulates the organs of the body and helps digestion.

It increases muscle tone, strength, improves balance and co ordination and improves breathing.

Tai Chi does not just provide physical benefits; by raising energy levels, it also affects the mind and the spirit.

Tai Chi focuses thought, so that mind and body energy works together as one. When practising Tai Chi, people find that they are not just physically fitter but, happier, more alert, have greater mental focus and are more creative.

It is this harnessing of mental and physical energy that makes Tai Chi not just a form of exercise; it makes it a life enhancing experience.

Learning Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an exercise for people of all ages and all levels of fitness.

The movements of Tai Chi are non-strenuous, relaxed, slow moving, soft, and flowing.

It has often been described as moving meditation, as it relieves stress and improves concentration.

It is the gentleness and slowness of Tai Chi that makes it so applicable to everyone as a form of exercise.

When you watch Tai Chi being performed, it looks effortless but this comes from a considerable amount of practice.

When taking up Tai Chi it is best to pick an experienced teacher, who can guide motivate and encourage you. Simply, go with someone you are comfortable with.

The style of Tai Chi you pick Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun or any other form, is down to personal preference; the benefits described however apply to all styles.

About the Author

Re Vitalise offer a warm welcome to both novice and experienced Tai Chi pupils. In addition to offering regular tuition there are several weekend breaks available.

Written by: Stephen Todd

Peace of Mind and a Comfortable Body

2006-11-03T05:06:00.000-08:00

Peace of Mind and a Comfortable Body

by dtrue

Peace of mind and a comfortable body. The Dalai Lama says in his book, “The Art of Happiness”, that we are all born to pursue happiness. He provides a pretty simple formula: identify and encourage the states of mind that make us happy; identify and discourage states of mind that make us unhappy.

Meditation is the tool that, through daily practice, strengthens the mind to be able to create new habits that replace the old ones.

Studies back this theory up. People who have just had a seemingly random but actually contrived positive event occur in their lives, like finding some money or receiving praise, are more likely to assist a stranger who asks for help. People who have just had something negative happen to them are much less likely to help. I think in your own life you can probably see examples. When you’re having a bad day, everything seems worse. Then, after a good night’s sleep, the next day, those problems are so grave. When you’re having a good day, even the big problems have less impact.

Ancient peoples around the earth talk of treating other people, animals, plants and even the Earth itself as family. Understanding we’re interconnected. Understanding we’re one. Understanding we’re interdependent and part of and from the same Earth. Cultures too remote and widespread to have shared this knowledge.

The Dalai Lama talks about when we’re feeling compassionate about our fellow man, we get back to our true selves: gentle and kind. He believes violence, greed and aggression are superficial characteristics that arise in response to various kinds of conditioning.

I hope we’re able to get back to our basic human natures as a species. Our greed, anger, hatred is pretty powerful: we’ve caused the largest mass extinction the planet has seen since the end of the dinosaurs, 30 countries could soon have nuclear weapons and we seem to have lost sight of happiness for the sake of pleasure. We tend to do what feels good instead of what’s right.

Happiness vs. pleasure is an interesting distinction. I want or crave that extra piece of cake or that extra beer. But, will it simply please me or will it make me happy? Will the guilt or repercussions actually decrease my happiness? Derail me from what I was born to do — find happiness.

New data from many different sources is indicating we’re facing a full-scale planetary emergency. Hard data. See the dinosaur article above for an example. Sure, we’re facing a crisis. But, as Al Gore recently pointed out, that the term “crisis” in Chinese is represented by two characters. “The first means danger…the second means opportunity.”

-Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see.” Lead by example.

Schedule in a daily workout. 10 minutes. 15 minutes. 45 minutes. Start small. Set a goal you can achieve. Spend some time building yourself. Workout every day for a week, two weeks, thirty days. See if you’re not a kinder and gentler you. See if your kind actions don’t spread to others, who then, according to the study above, make them more likely to spread kindness.

Do it for yourself.

Do it for your family.

Do it for your community.

Do it for all of us.

Peace of mind and a comfortable body.

-David True

TaiChi for YOUR life... Patience

2006-10-22T03:06:00.000-07:00

Patience

Tai chi self defence skills take longer to learn than those in other arts because the emphasis is different. It is not enough to defend yourself. You must also simultaneously improve your health.

Karate, kickboxing, ju jitsu and wing chun all teach self defence more quickly than tai chi does, but those arts are not famous for their long-term health benefits.

If you want improved health, a soft, loose, relaxed body and the ability to defend yourself without aggression or tension, be prepared to commit some time to this endeavour.

Combining looseness, relaxation, composure and pragmatic self defence is quite an endeavour, but very worthwhile.

posted by Dynamic Balancing Tai Chi

Tai Chi, Aerobic Excercise and Fitness Programs for Older Adults Over 55

2006-09-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

Tai Chi, Aerobic Excercise and Fitness Programs for Older Adults Over 55

by Christine Cadena

Start Improving Your Longevity Today...

As age progresses, health issues become an increasing concern. To offset concerns, individuals, over the age of fifty-five, have become increasingly active. By doing so, older adults experience improvement in strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. Additionally, physical fitness can result in a reduction in high blood pressure, decreased risks of heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes, improved sleep and longevity and even relieve pain associated with arthritis. Other benefits, associated with exercise, may include reducing or delaying disability, improving cholesterol levels and controlling weight. All of these benefits are found through a basic exercise program which may include resistance training, aerobic exercise or flexibility programs such as Tai Chi.

Resistance Training
Resistance Training is a very basic exercise program which involves simple weight lifting over several days with increasing amounts of weight over a period of time. By increasing the resistance, progressively over several days, resistance training aides in preventing falls and hip fractures by improving strength, balance and bone mass. In other words, resistance training will increase muscle strength and reduce muscle atrophy and bone loss. A basic program may include resistance rubber bands, free weights or weight machines. A program with as little as two sessions, twenty to thirty minutes in duration, over one week, can provide significant benefits.

Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise has long been considered the most basic element of fitness as it promotes oxygen delivery through every cell in the body. By doing so, the body, more efficiently, eliminates waste products. It is through the cardiovascular function that benefits are seen including strengthening of all muscles including cardiovascular muscle, improved respiration, improved concentration and alertness and control over weight. Cardiovascular activity includes all of the basic fitness programs including jumping rope, jogging, walking, swimming and dancing. However, it can also include a program in which you simply increase the vigor and speed of your steps while performing daily living activities. Aerobic exercise, certainly, does not require that you be fit to run a marathon.

Tai Chi
Another fitness program older adults frequently participate in is an ancient program, Tai Chi. Originally developed in China, Tai Chi has become increasingly popular in the United States. With the use of slow, interrupted movements called “forms”, the development of internal energy is promoted. Each form is believed to be inspired by nature, and involves very relaxed circular motions, with shifts in body weight and very little foot movement. One Tai Chi session takes approximately eight minutes and should be completed daily. The calming effect of Tai Chi promotes meditation and internal calmness. One great benefit: It can be done with shoes or in bare feet!

As with any fitness program, first consult your physician before beginning. Once beginning a fitness program, be sure to focus on your body’s internal signals. Should you experience an onset of pain, dizziness or fatigue, discontinue the work out immediately. Always remember to warm up or “stretch” prior to beginning your program, drink plenty of water before, during and after your work out and avoid exercise during hot periods of the day. Remember to begin slowly and progressively increase your activity as you feel comfortable.

Whether you choose resistance training, aerobic exercise or Tai Chi, a step toward some sort of fitness program is the best decision you can make in terms of your health. In fact, the risks associated with no exercise are far greater than any risk you may encounter while participating in a fitness program. No matter what your age, fitness can be started. Older adults who began running after reaching age 60 have been known to later run marathons at the age of seventy or eighty. While not everyone will reach such exercise levels, it is important to begin even a very basic, simple program. Consistency is the primary factor. And remember, exercise does not discriminate based on age and will improve your overall health and increase your longevity. Visit your local fitness center, senior center or hospital for information on fitness programs in your area.

TaiChi for YOUR life...Staying Younger with Tai Chi

2006-09-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

Stay Young with Tai Chi

Discover the medicinal power of this ancient exercise.

By Caroline Bollinger

Georgina Duggan just knew she'd wind up with arthritis in her spine. "My mother and one of my brothers had back pain from arthritis, so when it started to bother me, I figured it was something I'd have to live with," says the 60-year-old retiree in Mississauga, Ontario. But unlike her family, she isn't suffering anymore. Thanks to an unusual kind of remedy, she's off all her painkillers and feels better than she has in years.

Initially, Duggan went to a chiropractor several times a week for relief. "It helped some, but I got tired of having to go so often." Her physician suggested the ancient art of tai chi. Says Duggan: "He thought the combination of slow movements, meditation, and breathing would help strengthen my spine and increase my flexibility. I thought, Why not?"

After all, the Chinese have been maintaining their health with tai chi for centuries. And today, more than 200,000 Americans take tai chi classes in health clubs—a number that has doubled in the past 4 years, says Rosemary Lavery, a spokesperson for the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association.

Part of tai chi's appeal is that it doesn't really feel like exercise. "It offers cardiovascular benefits similar to brisk walking or low-impact aerobics, but it's much easier on the body," says Ruth Taylor-Piliae, Phd, RN, a tai chi researcher and postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine. "It's good for people who might not be capable of strenuous activity." The stances require you to shift your weight slowly from one foot to the other—and you have to maintain control throughout the moves. "This keeps your mind focused, improves balance, and strengthens your body," Taylor-Piliae says.

Indeed, tai chi offers stellar health benefits. For instance, a recent review of 47 studies published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggested that tai chi can lower blood pressure; increase flexibility, strength, and balance; and decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. Find out what tai chi might do for you from people who are already practicing.

"My blood pressure dropped."

—Linda Bowers, 57, former administrative assistant, Kansas City, MO

When layoffs left Linda Bowers without health insurance 3 years ago, she made the difficult decision to go off her blood pressure medication. Instead, Bowers got serious about daily tai chi to maintain a healthier blood pressure. At her annual checkup—which she paid for out-of-pocket—she was pleasantly surprised to see her BP remain at a steady 134/82.

Low-intensity exercise can work wonders on blood pressure. Researchers at the Stanford Prevention Research Center recently had 39 sedentary seniors do 60 minutes of tai chi three times a week for 12 weeks. On average, the group lowered their resting systolic blood pressure (the larger number) by 13% to a healthier reading of 131 mm/Hg and decreased their resting diastolic BP by 10% to 77 mm/Hg—results similar to those from medication.

Granted, any aerobic exercise would have helped, "but studies indicate that the mental component of tai chi may offer an edge," says Taylor-Piliae, the lead researcher on the study. "Our theory is that the level of focus that tai chi requires triggers a relaxation response. That, in turn, helps reduce the volume of blood going to the heart, making the heart more efficient and thus lowering blood pressure."

"My stress plummeted."

—Sue Gurland, 62, acupuncturist, Boca Raton, FL

"When I get stressed, all the tension goes to my head and neck," says Sue Gurland. "Tai chi relieves my tension. I feel clearheaded and in a much lighter mood." Gurland, who has been practicing for 30 years, says the discipline has changed her outlook on life, too. Research suggests that her results are common.

Studies show the complex series of movements in tai chi reduce the body's level of cortisol, a stress hormone. In another Stanford study of 39 seniors, those who practiced an hour of tai chi 3 days a week for 12 weeks boosted their overall sense of well-being. By the end of the study, participants reported improvement in mood of about 12%—and a 13% decrease in stress.

"I don't get sick as much."

—Diane Rapaport, 67, writer and publisher, Burns, OR

"I used to have bronchitis three or four times a year," remembers Diane Rapaport. "It was awful." Since she started tai chi 6 years ago, however, she hasn't had so much as a sniffle. Experts believe tai chi decreases the release of catecholamine, a neurotransmitter that has been shown to dampen the immune system. A 2003 UCLA study found that a three-times-a-week routine enhanced T cell function by 45% after 4 months. (T cells attack virus-infected cells.)

Though the research looked specifically at the virus that causes shingles, "we believe tai chi would improve resistance to other viruses as well," says Michael Irwin, MD, lead author of the study and a professor of psychiatry at the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at UCLA.

"Tai chi improved my balance."

—Bob Erler, 68, retired librarian, Bronx, NY

Six years ago, Bob Erler was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a rare condition that reduces sensation in limbs, fingers, and toes—and caused Erler to frequently fall. Practicing tai chi about five times a week, however, has given him remarkable results: "I used to fall about twice a month. Last year, I fell just twice altogether," Erler says. "I've always liked to walk and keep active, but I became fearful after my diagnosis. Today, I'm confident and more trusting of my body."

Says Rhayun Song, PhD, an assistant professor of nursing at Daewon Science College in South Korea: "To prevent falls, you need balance and muscle strength, especially in the lower body." Tai chi seems to improve both. In Song's recent study of 59 seniors, the researcher found that those who did 35 minutes of tai chi three times a week for 12 weeks were only half as likely to fall as those who didn't practice the discipline.

Take a class

Many YMCAs, hospitals, and community centers offer them. Check out the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi to find an instructor in your area. (Qigong can vary from tai chi to the more vigorous kung fu.)

TaiChi for Your Ears.. Lou Reed Takes the Chinese Out of Tai Chi

2006-09-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Lou Reed Takes the Chinese Out of Tai Chi

There is a filled-with-Advancement interview with Lou Reed at PE.com. Here are some highlights:

"...Reed is writing and recording music for martial arts -- a soundtrack, if you will, for Chen-style tai chi, of which he is a loyal practitioner. Typically this music is of Chinese origin, but Reed's goal is to change things in that world as he did in the rock 'n' roll realm four decades ago.

"'I'm making it under my name -- it's energy music," said Reed. "I was trying to make music that would give the energy of rock, but you would be able to put it into a martial arts (setting). I just wanted to do it. We're always doing it to this Chinese music, and I thought it would be great to do this.' "

My lord is it Advanced to find doing Tai Chi to Chinese music problematic! He goes on to talk about how much he loves playing live but people who design rock clubs don't think about acoustics:

"'If you want the best sound indoors, go into a dance club that plays techno, and they'll kill you with their sound system,' he said."

Embracing techno is also quite Advanced. He should let somebody remix his Tai Chi music and unleash it on the dance clubs.

TaiChi and You...A question of Balance

2006-09-22T05:14:00.000-07:00

On balance, tai chi is a steadying influence

"Since taking up tai chi I have not had one fall" … Patricia Beveridge, who has osteoporosis, says the weekly classes have made her more steady and flexible.
Photo: Ben Rushton

AT 74, Patricia Beveridge can touch her toes, kick her legs to waist height and stand on one leg.

More importantly, Ms Beveridge, who was diagnosed with osteoporosis eight years ago, can climb stairs and walk across uneven surfaces without fear of falling.

And it was all thanks, she said, to tai chi, traditional Chinese martial arts exercises of slow, graceful movements.

"You learn to co-ordinate your hands and body by perfecting the movements," she said. "Since taking up tai chi I have not had one fall. I can stand up straight. I feel like a 16-year-old."

Ms Beveridge began practising tai chi in 1999 when she took part in a study of more than 700 people aged 60 and over, testing the benefits of tai chi for preventing falls.

The results of the study, to be presented at the National Injury Prevention Conference in Sydney next week, found a 16-week program of one-hour tai chi classes cut falls in the elderly by 35 per cent and the risk of multiple falls by nearly 60 per cent.

The report's author, Alex Voukelatos, of the Sydney South West Area Health Promotion Service, said that tai chi participants showed improved balance, stability and reaction times.

"One of the highest risk factors for falls in older people is a decreasing sense of balance. Tai chi increases their balance and helps prevent falls," Mr Voukelatos said.

A third of people aged 65 and older are estimated to fall each year at an estimated cost of $3 billion.

Associate Professor Stephen Lord, of the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, said the most serious injuries included fractured hips and spinal and head injuries, all of which could lead to permanent disability and death.

Falls also had psychological consequences, Dr Lord said.

"It is a vicious cycle: the fear leads to decreased activity, which puts them at greater risk." Dr Lord recommended that elderly people wishing to try tai chi should find group classes, aimed at improving balance and strength.

For Patricia Beveridge, attending weekly tai chi classes at Ashbury Senior Citizens Club and practising regularly at home have improved her balance, flexibility and wellbeing.

"My bones have not deteriorated since I started," she said. "If they stay like this for the next seven years I will be very grateful to tai chi."

Tai Chi and You: Solutions to WorldProblems? – Tai Chi & Qigong

2006-09-21T04:49:00.000-07:00

Einstein wrote, “imagination is more important than knowledge,” and those words were never more true than they are today. Ancient mind/body health technologies may offer much more than health. They may offer possibilities to recreate a new world with more abundance and hope for all of humanity.

According to modern medical research between 70 and 85% of all illness leading people to doctors is caused by stress (Kaiser Permenente twenty year study). The United States annual health care costs exceed one-trillion dollars each year. This means that effective stress management techniques, if provided to people en masse through education, business, healthcare, etc. in an aggressive national campaign to train our citizens in such techniques, could save our nation alone hundreds of billions in health care costs year after year.
Tai Chi & Qigong have been proven over many centuries, including in emerging modern medical research to be powerful stress reduction technologies. The results of this are found in studies like the one at UCLA indicating that Tai Chi practitioners doubled their immune resistance to viral infection. Many studies also show Tai Chi can provide cardiovascular benefit, lowering high blood pressure, and providing an effective gentle rehabilitation therapy for those with heart disease.

So bottom line, we know stress costs us hundreds of billions annually in health care costs. We know that Tai Chi & Qigong can help millions lower stress levels and the deleterious health effects of that stress. Yet, there is to date no aggressive national effort to spread the knowledge of these health tools to the mass population through public education etc.

This is a tragedy, not only because of the unnecessary health problems people suffer, but for other important reasons as well. If the world employed these tools on a massive scale and began to save the trillions of dollars they could be saving, major global social and environmental problems could be addressed with that money.

It is estimated that for a mere $20 billion annually, we could end starvation on the planet, which could lessen the pressure on societies that spurs instability and violence. If we saved trillions worldwide each year on saved health care costs, $20 billion would be hardly missed. We’d still easily be able to afford clean water programs and global education programs that could also help stabilize the world, making us all safer and healthier. Global health is affected by poverty, as nations in extreme poverty pay little attention to environmental laws, and may hunt extinct animals or decimate rain forests in order to earn money to eat and live on.

A few billion dollars could pay for the one hundred square miles of solar cells in the Mohave desert that experts say could supply “ALL” of the electrical needs of the United States, and perhaps create technology that could be exported worldwide. Also, by supplying all the electrical needs with cheap renewable solar, we could explore more efficient and effective electric cars that could be fueled by electricity supplied from solar collection, creating an absolutely non-polluting economy eventually. In a world where oil production has peaked and will only dwindle and become more and more expensive, this is an exciting possibility for all of us to have cheaply fueled personal transportation that will never run out.

Global health & personal health are more closely related than one might think at first glance. Holistic solutions are simple and make a great deal of sense, once we look into the heart of possibility, unclouded by cynicism that tells us we are victims of “what is.” We are not victims. By allowing our minds to explore possibility we imagine, “image-in” a new more expansive reality that could make our lives not only healthier, but more exciting and profound. Einstein wrote, “imagination is more important than knowledge,” and those words were never more true than they are today. Dare to imagine what is possible, and the veil separating reality from that vision becomes thinner with every new person willing to step beyond the walls of limitation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Douglas is the Tai Chi Expert at DrWeil.com, Founder of World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day (held in 50 nations each year), and has authored and co-authored several books including a #1 best selling Tai Chi book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to T’ai Chi & Qigong.” Bill’s been a Tai Chi source for The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, etc. You can learn more about Tai Chi & Qigong, and also contact Bill Douglas at http://www.worldtaichiday.org

written by: Bill Douglas

TaiChi and Your Life: Understanding of I-Ching and Tai Chi

2006-09-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

Understanding I-Ching along with Tai Chi

Tai Chi, The Great Ultimate, was found earliest in the Book of Change, or otherwise known as I-Ching. Legend said that this scripture has written by the first emperor of the Zhou Dynasty - Zhou Wen Wang. Thus I-Ching is also known as Zhou-Yi.

I-Ching, or the Book of Change, with its name implies, stated that life is in constant flux of change. The word I (Yi in pinyin) means 'change' in Chinese. It is formed from the characters of the sun and the moon, which represents yang and yin respectively.

It has a verse stating, "Changes has the Great Ultimate, which give rise to the Two Elements. The Two Elements give rise to the Four Phenomena, and the Four Phenomena give rise to the Eight Hexagrams..."

Let’s begin with the word Tai Chi – the Great Ultimate. It actually means the earliest, the beginning... of all events and things. In some case, it refers to the Universe by ancient Chinese.

In one of the scripture, it stated that "One yin and one yang is the Way..." This means that the all changes of events and things in the universe come from this opposing, yet united forces of yin and yang.

This is why in from Tai Chi, there arises in the Two Elements - yin and yang. Take a look at the Tai Chi diagram, which is better known as the 2-Fishes diagram in Chinese. It is a circle divided into 2 sections in proportion. The circle is representing Tai Chi, or the Universe Whole, and within this wholeness, there’s the Two Elements.

The division of the yin and yang in Tai Chi means that there are 2 opposing elements, represented by the black section and white section respectively. Yet, the division is not a straight division, but a curved division – meaning that the 2 opposing elements actually accommodate each other in order to form the complete circle.

Firstly, this means that while it is divided as opposing elements – it is united in a way to form the complete wholeness. The opposing yet united forces of yin and yang became the basis of the thinking in I-Ching. And Tai Chi uses the concepts in the I-Ching, the yin and yang elements as the core concepts to explain the both physical and meta-physical aspects of the world.

Secondly, the curved division gives a sense of balance. Here, we are talking about balancing the yin and yang elements here. There's this statement in I-Ching: "When the yin goes to the extreme, the yang is born. And when the yang goes to the extreme, the yin is born".

Look at the 2-fishes diagram again. If you go in counter-clock wise along the diameter of the Tai Chi circle, you will find that as one element grows more and more and reach its peak, the other elements will begin to grow in replacement. For example, if you move along the diameter on the black side, you will see that the ‘half’ represented by the black will become bigger and bigger and then suddenly shrink and the white ‘half’ will begin to grow instead. This means that if one element goes to the extreme, the other will begin to set in.

What does this mean to us then?

Simple: we have to balance our life in every aspect, and do not just focus only on one or a few. We have to balance between work and personal life, between family and friends, between material and spiritual, and the list goes on. Otherwise, there will be disharmony in our lives.

Thirdly, the movement growing or shrinking of the yin and yang elements within the Tai Chi diagram suggests that life changes constantly to and from between good and bad, joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness, high and low and between any two extreme qualities. This is the dualistic principles in I-Ching.

In any events or things, there are two qualities within. There's no such thing as complete good or perfectly bad things. It is the degree of good, or bad that matters.

Take for example, can we say that a person is good because there's no bad quality in him, or a person is bad because he or she have never done any 'good' at all??? A good person may at times been guilty of small bad deeds, and a bad person may at times have some good in him or her. Isn't it?

A good thing may have some negative side in it. And vice versa, a bad thing may have some positive side in it. It depends on how we perceive the issue. That’s the dualistic principles in I-Ching.

This goes to the next concepts. In the diagram, within each element, there's a dot in it. The black section has a white dot, while the white section has a black dot. What does this means? We move now to the next statement: The Two Elements give rise to the Four Phenomena. This means, in the yin element, there will be yang element and vice versa, in the yang element, there will be yin element.

What does it means to us?

In any events or things, there will be some good in the bad, and some bad in the good. Just like there's some yin in the yang, and some yang in the yin. For example, when a person wins a race, others will lose the race. There's bad news within the good news, there's sorrow amongst joy, there's losing among winning and so on.

In life, there will be mixtures of good and bad, joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness, winning and losing, high and low, and it all come in a 'package'!

Therefore, we should learn to be more give and take - and accept the nature of life as it is. Enjoy the good things, and accept the bad one bravely and gracefully. This will then help us to achieve a more balance and harmonious life.

Tai Chi's concepts of yin and yang became influential to the ancient Chinese, and found its way into the philosophy, theories, medicine, art of war, religion, arts and the way of maintaining life. It has found its way into Daoism, which in some ways, people claimed that Tai Chi is under the idea of Daoism, which is not quite true. It should be the other way round.

Whatever it is, understanding the principles of I-Ching does help us to understand the nature of life itself to better balance and manage our ups and downs to face our daily chores and challenges. And I wish all of you success and harmony in your life. May the Energy of Tai Chi be with you!

Written by:
C. Guan Soo
http://www.TaichiExerciseForHealth.com

***** Note *****
You may distribute or publish this article freely provide you do not make any changes or alteration on the article content, or remove my name and website from the article. Thank you!

About the Author

A meditation, martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan practitioner for the past 23 years, who has great interest in the Eastern philosophies and Buddhism as well.

Written by: C. Guan Soo

TaiChi and Your Life: What is Qigong (Chi Kung)?

2006-09-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

What is Qigong (Chi Kung)?

When you watch someone practice Qigong in motion, you see the slow beauty of the movement between physical postures. What you don’t see as clearly are the breathing techniques and focused intention.

Often thought of as a form of martial art, Qigong (”breath technique” or “breath skill”) is actually a technique which is most notibly an aspect of Chinese medicine. As such, it is believed to have health benefits including stress reduction and exercise. Although new to the west, the practices are ancient. Texts which refer to Qi (breath or Prana and Pranayama in Yoga) date back 3,300 years, and it is assumed the practice goes even farther back. It wasn’t until 1953 when Liu Gui-zheng published a paper which explored the various versions of this form of exercise, and called it Qigong (Chi Kung). The practice had, and probably still does, go by other names such as Xiuado, Zhoshan, Jinggon, etc., but they are now recognized as schools of Qigong.

In Qigong, body movement and postures are coordinated with different breathing patterns, and the practice teaches how to manage the breath to maintain optimum energy. As such, it is used as part of martial arts practice to increase stamina and proper energy flow. In fact, Taoist and Buddhist monasteries incorporated Qigong as an integral part of both spiritual and martial arts training. Not surprisingly, any school of qigong which emphasized the spiritual aspects has been discouraged in the People’s Republic of China, the obvious example being the Falun Gong, which gained such a wide following that the government outlawed their practice in 1999.

Qigong also works with the mind through a quiet meditative focus. In fact, there is a practice called “Still Qigong” which emphasizes motionless meditation in lying, sitting or standing positions.

Qigong - beyond the physical

Well-recognized for the health benefits of physical movement and stress reduction, qigong runs against the grain of the scientific community when it talks about the philosophy of qi. Perhaps this is because there are roots in shamanic practices dealing with deity and daemon and the direct manipulation of vital life-energy, or what the Tao Te Ching calls virtue.

Students on a spiritual path are taught that humanity and nature are not seperate, that the dualistic point-of-view keeps us withdrawn from higher energy states (and the subsequent health benefits) which can be accessed with proper training and commitment to healthy spiritual and lifestyle choices. Thus, it is not just the body and breath which need to be in balance: Body, breath, mind and spirit become a part of the universal energy which flows through and around us and through all of nature.

Qigong healing - controversy and cure

A rise of interest in the west has also spawned a number of healers which make miraculous claims about their power to heal through energy manipulation. Since I work in a metaphysical store, I am more open to the possibilities of alternative healing methods such as Reiki, Pranic Healing, and Qigong than the sceptics and scientists who like to categorize anything they do not understand a “pseudoscience.” But to be fair to the critics, I must point out that Qigong’s history shows it was taught as a personal health practice rather than as a practicioner-patient form of psychic surgery, despite some shamanic roots.

It seems logical that if a qigong healer does manipulate your energy, and you are not a practitioner yourself, you will not be able to maintain the proper balance. Thus there would be an initial sense of improvement which would fade in time and require repeated, and possibly non-ending, treatments. Any reputable energy healer would include instruction and training for maintenance. Otherwise, a dependency or “healing addiction” could develop between the practitioner and patient, and it is this type of situation which gives rise to the criticisms and charges of quackery or outright fraud. But these cases are rare. In fact, the Qigong Association of America specifically defines Qigong as a self-healing art.

Qigong - Next Steps

The verifiable healing benefits of developing a personal Qigong practice are well-documented, and research continues. It is well worth looking into if you are interested in developing the mind-body-spirit wellness connection. It is also recommended that you find a qualified teacher for direct training. Imagine if you were an avid golfer, which would you prefer . . . a book on golf written by Tiger Woods, a video demonstration of his technique, or regular sessions where Tiger helps you work on your swing?

Clearly, it would be ideal to have the coach to focus and refine your movement, the book for the philosophy, and the videos to illustrate and remind you of your lesson. But the key is the practice and instruction of a qualified professional. It is the same for any physical discipline. With Qigong, you get the added benefit of observing and experiencing the Qi of a teacher if you learn in person.

TaiChi and Your Life: Tai Chi good for obese diabetics

2006-09-18T04:53:00.000-07:00

Tai Chi good for obese diabetics

Research suggests that impaired mobility and balance among obese older adults with type 2 diabetes may be related to their low muscle power, which results from their inability to quickly contract their muscles.

In a study of older obese adults with type 2 diabetes, "there was a strong relationship between muscle power/speed and poor mobility and balance," study co-author Rhonda Orr, a lecturer at the University of Sydney, in Australia, said. "Those individuals with lower muscle power and slower muscle speed had greater balance and mobility impairment."

The study also shows that older obese type 2 diabetics can benefit from low-intensity, low-impact Tai Chi exercises as well as from regular stretching and calisthenics.

"Our Tai Chi program was just as effective as gentle stretching/calisthenics in improving balance and mobility, but not effective in improving muscle function in our cohort," said Orr. She noted that "improving muscle contraction speed or power may be more appropriate interventions to gain improvements in balance and mobility."

In the study, 38 men and women with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to Tai Chi exercises or seated calisthenics and stretching. The participants, who were about 65 years old, participated in 55-minute exercise sessions twice a week for 16 weeks.

At the end of the study period, participants in both exercise groups experienced improvements in their balance and walking speed. Men and women who participated in Tai Chi exercises showed improved mobility, but their improvements were no greater than that found among men and women in the comparison group.

The reason for the lack of greater benefit among the Tai Chi participants may be because the high prevalence of obesity and osteoarthritis among the study participants "may have compromised an optimal training style," Orr and her co-authors suggest. Or perhaps the dose and/or movements incorporated into the Tai Chi program were not sufficient to elicit a stronger response.

Overall, balance was most improved among men and women with poorer quality of life at the start of the study, whereas better health, muscle function and exercise capacity at the start of the study, was associated with increased walking speeds by the end of the study. In particular, lower levels of blood glucose and less body fat at the start of the study was associated with improved walking speeds over time.

In light of the findings, "we need to further investigate an optimal modality of exercise(s) and dose for older, obese and long-term sedentary adults with type 2 diabetes, so that they are able to increase their level of physical activity, enjoy and adhere to an exercise program in order to retard the decline in physical function associated with diabetes," Orr said.

The Tai Chi for Diabetes form was created by study co-author Paul Lam, who is also the founder of Tai Chi Productions.

REUTERS
SOURCE: Diabetes Care, September 2006.

TaiChi and Your Practice: Why You Should Learn Tai Chi

2006-09-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

About the Author

Re Vitalise offer a warm welcome to both novice and experienced Tai Chi pupils. In addition to offering regular tuition there are several weekend breaks available.

To learn more about our services go to:
www.re-vitalise.co.uk

Written by: Stephen Todd

TaiChi and Your Practice: Fighting Strategy in Tai Chi

2006-09-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Tai Chi Fighting Strategy

There is a lot of mysticism surrounding Tai Chi Chuan, and as a result of this, confusion about the nature of its practice. In order to clear this up, it is necessary to get to the heart and purpose for which Tai Chi was developed, and the best way to do this is to look at its fighting strategy. If we look carefully, we will discern two essential principles at work in Tai Chi strategy. First of all, Tai Chi is based upon allowing the opponent to attack first. This means that one would seek to take the initiative from a position of waiting - you receive the attack of the opponent. This doesn’t mean being defensive. The attitude here is offensively remaining responsive to the opponents attack. One awaits the opponents move, then suddenly takes the initiative. This is the first principle. To take the initiative means to ‘get the better’ of your opponent or to gain the advantage, and the way that Tai Chi goes about doing this defines its second principle.

To understand this we must go look to the history of Tai Chi Chuan, going back to its roots in the Taoist concept of yin and yang. The general idea in this is that all of nature is based upon constantly change forces between opposites. Thus in nature we see birth and death, good and evil, light and darkness, and each of these in reaching its extreme, gives way to the other. Tai Chi takes this philosophical concept from Taoism and makes it the basis of its system. In terms of fighting strategy, this means that in receiving the opponent’s attack, one attempts to lure his energy into emptiness, that is, to redirect it into a space where the energy now stands free and on its own. The result is that the energy of the attacker – his movement, force, balance, strength – no longer belong to your opponent, and you yourself have the opportunity of taking control of it. This is what it means here to take the advantage – to seize the energy of your opponent and use it against him. If we put together these two principles then we discover that the essence of Tai Chi, and the basis of its fighting strategy is to take the initiative from a position of waiting, using the opponent’s energy against him.

In actual combat, of course, one need not always wait for the opponent. You can strike or trip or kick if he is two indecisive or isn’t paying attention. Tai Chi as a martial art, however, is most effective when the above strategy is applied. It was designed to be used against brute strength and opponents with obvious physical advantages, for indeed there is always someone bigger, stronger, and quicker than yourself. If one would seek to attain a high level of ability in Tai Chi, taking its fighting strategy as a guide, allow it to enlighten every aspect of your practice, to put reason into every movement, technique, and application. In this way you will attain clarity in your practice.

TaiChi and Your Practice: Tracing Tai Chi

2006-09-16T05:17:00.000-07:00

Tracing Tai Chi

Tai Chi Chuan is derived from Taoism which believes in tranquility of mind and improvement of temperament. Tai in Chinese means ‘Great’ and Chi denotes 'ultimate energy’. The practice of Tai chi, therefore, generates energy and vitality through movement by using the Taoist practice of harmonizing positive and negative forces (the Yin and the Yang) into transcendental peace.

Tai Chi is the life force behind good living and is as relevant to modern lifestyle as it was in ancient times.

The earliest stories about Tai Chi dates back to the 12^th century in the legend of Chang San Feng. While one version state that Tai Chi originated in his dream of a contest between a snake and a crane, another tells the story of Chang San-Feng studying the fierce fight between the snake and the crane as a contest of opposites in dynamic harmony, like Yin and the Yang of nature.

The practice of Tai Chi has come down to the present through three major family traditions. Chen, Yang and Wu.

The original Tai Chi Chuan form called the "Chen" style was passed to a family named Chen in Honan Province. Chen style was a combination of soft and explosive power techniques. It was practiced in the Chinese Shaolin Temple since the Fifteenth Century. The Chen clan kept Tai Chi Chuan a secret practice for fourteen generations, passed down only through families and loyal students. It was forbidden for anyone to teach it outside the family. All other common Tai Chi styles were later derived from the Chen style.

The centuries old tradition of the Chen Tai Chi secret was finally broken in the end of the eighteenth century. A young man named Yang Lu-Chan was then working as a servant in the Chen family. Yang Lu-Chan was intensely interested in the Chen clan's secret of self-defense. He spied upon them whenever they practiced Tai Chi and retained the knowledge within him to practice when he was alone. One night Master Chen caught Yang Lu-Chan practicing. But he was so impressed with Yang’s talent and dedication that instead of punishing him, he broke a four hundred year tradition and made him a student. When he was finished apprenticeship, Yang Lu Chan returned to his village to practice and teach his distinctive style of Tai Chi Chuan. His fame took him to the Royal Palace to teach Tai Chi Chuan which gradually spread the Yang style further symbolized in its smooth and even-flowing tempo. The Yang style is the most common traditional style of Tai Chi Chuan practiced today.

While Yang Lu Chan was teaching Tai Chi Chuan at his hometown, he had a disciple named Wu Yu Xiang. Wu Yu Xiang went on to develop his skill further to learn the Chen form of Tai Chi from Chen Qin Ping. Once he finished his training he created the Wu Form Tai Chi Chuan, an unique agile and flexible form, which was a combination of both the Chen and the Yang styles.

The Sun Form Tai Chi Chuan was created by Sun Lu Tang who learnt the art from Hao Wei Zheng, a Wu Form Tai Chi Chuan master in the early 20^th century. Sun Lu Tang created Sun Form Tai Chi Chuan from The Eight Diagrams Palm, Xin Yi Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan.

TaiChi and You...Looking at: Change

2006-09-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

Change?

Nothing is fixed in tai chi ; your practice and approach should be constantly under revision and reconsideration. If you feel to have 'got it', think again.

There are no plateaus or stopping points - there is always a deeper layer of subtlety to uncover and comprehend.

TaiChi and You: Priorities

2006-09-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

Priorities?

We make choices relative to our values.

Every apparent obstacle represents a moment of conflict and hesitation. Choiceless awareness is the ideal. Choosing without choosing. Moving seamlessly through every situation without any apparent sense of doubt.

Which is more important to you: eating a brownie or losing weight? If you consider losing weight to be your priority you will not want to eat the brownie. No effort is required. There is no conflict.

TaiChi and You: How does Tai Chi Chuan rate as a martial art?

2006-09-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

How does Tai Chi Chuan rate as a martial art?

It is a controversial statement that when it comes to pure full-blown contact fighting, Tai Chi Chuan is the worst martial art to have at one’s disposal, and yet paradoxically, it is also the best. How can this be the case? Is there something missing from Tai Chi which other martial arts have? Does karate and other ‘hard’ styles better prepare us both mentally and physically for confrontations, than the seemingly light and less strenuous practice of for example, Yang style Tai Chi? Imagine your average Tai Chi practitioner and Thai kickboxer coming to blows. Who do you think would win? I for one would probably pick the Thai boxer. Still, I hesitate – I say probably. Why not certainly? It was not without reason that in 18^th century China, Yang Luchan, then a practitioner and teacher of Tai Chi Chuan, came to be known as ‘Yang the Invincible’. While this may say something about Yang’s own abilities, it does shed some light on the potential of Tai Chi to be a powerful martial art – if in the right hands.

A common mistake among martial artists is to imagine that it is essentially one’s style which determines the outcome of a confrontation. Though there be a touch of truth in this belief, there is more falsity than anything else. The fact is that first and foremost it depends upon how skillful – and clever – one is, in actual confrontations. The development of the type of skill which Yang must have had, would have required extensive practice, and tremendous will power and determination. Without practice, one could be instructed by the gods, and in real confrontations be less than successful. Practice is the key, and after that – style comes into play. Still, not all styles are equal. Some, like judo, are more suitable for competition on a padded mat. Even Thai kickboxing is meant for the tournament. In a real life and death encounter, there are no rules, and what makes Tai Chi a formidable martial art – if properly employed – is that in terms of fighting, it doesn’t restrict itself. Tai Chi doesn’t teach us to avoid kicking the groin or striking the neck. It teaches how to swiftly avoid a dangerous attack and to use it against our adversary. Ethics is a personal matter. Between two persons, the same martial art may be used differently. This is never the case in a boxing ring where there are rules and referees.

What makes Tai Chi Chuan formidable is that it is a genuine martial art, with a sound strategy. What makes it the worst martial art, is that it is seldom taught or learned properly, for it takes many years to master, and few people have either the patience, the dedication, the time, or the opportunity to do so. These days one will be hard pressed to find another ‘Yang the Invincible’. Nevertheless, Tai Chi’s potential to be used in such way remains as real as ever.

How to Feel Your Life Energy in Tai Chi

2006-09-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

Many people who learn Tai Chi are usually curious about ‘chi’. They often wonder if chi or life energy really exists and if it can be physically felt and experienced.

The answer to that is yes! Unfortunately, many ‘masters’ and teachers of Tai Chi today are not able to generate and harness chi. It is sad that commercialization of Tai Chi has degenerated the art into just a gentle dance in many schools.

As a result, the experience of chi is absent and for many it only remains in the mythical realms of kung fu movies. The good news is it does not have to be that way. There are some masters around who are able to generate chi flow and will freely teach this to their students.

Though they form the minority, they actually do exist. If you make the effort to do some research and look them up, you will definitely be able to find a Tai Chi master with this ability.

In order to feel your life energy in Tai Chi, it is extremely important to be relaxed. One should not be tense or stiff, as this will impede the chi flow in your body. Learning to relax sounds simple, but it is surprising that many people find it hard to do.

This could be due to stress or the pressures of modern living. To generate chi, a person needs to relax the body, mind and soul. Besides being physically relaxed, a person should also be mentally relaxed.

This means that one should learn to focus, still the mind and prevent all distracting thoughts from coming into the mind. Once you have relaxed your body and mind, you also need to relax your soul or heart.

This means that you would have to be in a state where you are emotionally relaxed. Therefore, you need to cast aside all your worries, anxieties and fears.

Adopting the correct posture and stances are also important in generating and developing chi flow. In Tai Chi, one of the most important stances that can help one to develop chi flow is the Three-Circle Stance. Keeping the back straight is one of the requirements in developing chi flow.

The use of special breathing techniques is essential in developing chi flow. One of the breathing techniques that are used to develop chi flow is the abdominal breathing technique.

This is a deep breathing technique whereby students breathe from the diaphragm and focus on their ‘dan tien’. When combined with all of the above, it will enable a student to develop a strong chi flow with regular practice. With proper instruction from a qualified teacher, a student can usually experience chi in days or weeks.

After completing a Tai Chi set, if a student goes into the Three-Circle Stance, continues with abdominal breathing and puts both his palms facing one another about 6 inches apart, he will be able to feel a ball of energy in between his palms if he moves his palms in and out slightly.

The feeling is similar to the magnetic energy created by putting two magnets facing one another. Some people may also feel a tingling sensation in their hands, while others have described the feeling as ‘ants crawling on their hands’.

Your TaiChi Practice: Why is Tai Chi called a ‘soft’ martial art?

2006-09-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

Why is Tai Chi called a ‘soft’ martial art?

Why is Tai Chi referred to as a ‘soft’ martial? In order to answer this question, it will be necessary to distinguish between what is meant by hard and soft, or what we will refer to alternatively as external and internal martial arts.

First of all, this distinction has nothing to do with difficulty of technique or practice. Rather, it is a distinction in terms of the source from which power generates and issues. External techniques (hard) refers to power which is either generated by the muscles, or applied directly, or both. For example, a punch based purely upon muscle power is an example of an external technique. Throughout the history of martial arts, however, more effective means of generating power have been developed, means which focus less upon physical power and direct strikes, and more upon internal (or soft) principles and the ability to use alternative energies, including the spirit and mind. The result of this is that all of the major and traditional martial arts are to some extent both externally and internally based.

For example, let’s examine the standard karate punch. Initially, the power generated doesn’t originate solely from the muscles. It depends first of all upon the initial relaxation of the body through the mind, followed by a movement in the hips to produce rotational energy which surges into the arms and finally explodes upon the target. It is only at the last moment, when the strike hits, that muscle tension is applied. According to our definition then, the karate punch is a half-external technique. What about the other half? A calm mind and the ability to properly rotate the hips produces an alternative form of energy, one which is not merely based upon muscle power. Such a directional movement and mental disposition tends to be referred to as soft or internal technique.

Karate is often referred to as a soft-hard martial art, and with the karate punch we see why. More externalized arts include such styles as Thai Kick-boxing, competitive styles of WuShu, Tae Kwon Do, etc. Again, these all contain elements of soft techniques, but in the main they are devoted to hard principles. On the other hand, martial arts such as Aikido, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and of course Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), belong to the family of what are called the soft or internal martial art (or Neija). What makes these arts internal is their basis in training the mind and spirit to move the body, utilizing techniques based upon directional energy (rotational, whipping, etc.), as well as principles such as the five element fist, the eight trigram palm, or as in the case of Tai Chi, that of yin and yang. With Tai Chi this means that the primary source of energy is derived not from the muscles nor even from one’s own energy, but rather from the use of the power of one’s opponent, appropriating it and using it effectively against him. This is essentially why Tai Chi is referred to as a ‘soft’ martial art.

TaiChi and You: Is cross-training beneficial or harmful for Tai Chi

2006-09-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

Cross-training involves the concept of adding additional training elements beyond one’s sport or athletic activity for the purpose of improving overall fitness and to some extent skill. This concept has received a lot of attention in the martial arts, and one wonders whether Tai Chi practitioners may benefit from cross-training. Of itself, Tai Chi offers a balanced system of fitness with its stretching and forms, stances, qi gong, and emphasis upon internal power. The focus however, is upon rhythm, timing, smoothness of movement, the ability to draw upon and use the power of the opponent against himself, rather than brute force and excessive use of energy. Despite this, cross-training may still be beneficial to the Tai Chi practitioner. For although Tai Chi is to some extent aerobic, it is certainly less demanding (though not less effective) than other sports and martial arts as a result of its emphasis, particularly in Yang style, upon slow movements. As such, it may not be a bad idea to cross-train Tai Chi with such activities as running, swimming, biking, or some other related aerobic activity. This would not only help to improve health, but also concentration and the ability to endure long sessions without exhaustion. Furthermore, a moderate amount of strength training (2-3 times a week) does more than just strengthen the body. It can also improve balance, flexibility (so long as one maintains a full range of motion), and help to counteract the deteriorating effects of aging upon the bones.

Despite the benefits of cross-training, there are however a few things to watch out for. A general rule of thumb for martial arts is to avoid bodybuilding techniques. This means high amounts of hypertrophy (increased muscle growth) and specialized development of muscle groups for competitions. Training this way tends to disrupt the integrity of muscle connections throughout the body, which is a no-no for Tai Chi. Strength training should focus on total body exercises such as pull ups, squats, bench press, etc., in order to attain overall bodily conditioning. Further, varying aerobic activities will help to prevent such problems as overuse and injury, boredom, and the tightening of muscles (which too much running and biking can do), leading to decreased flexibility. For example, one could run on Monday and swim on Thursday, the next Monday take a brisk walk, and on the next Thursday go for a bike ride.

Cross-training is then a helpful complement to Tai Chi practice, so long as it is done in moderation. With this in mind, there are a few remaining points to consider:

Cross-training should always be complementary to Tai Chi practice – it should never take the place of it.
Start out light, weight training once or twice a week with an aerobic activity of your choice, gradually building up to suit your needs and schedule.
Never over do it. Your not training for the Mr. Olympia contest or a marathon – your goal should be improved health and skill for Tai Chi.
Finally, make it fun and refreshing. Run in the park, swim in the ocean, do calisthenics outside. Be creative and enjoy!

TaiChi and You: What to do if there are no teachers of Tai Chi in your area

2006-09-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

What to do if there are no teachers of Tai Chi in your area

It is quite possible to confront a situation wherein a school or teacher of Tai Chi cannot be found sometimes within 100 or more miles of where your live. If you are in such a situation and yet you really want to learn Tai Chi, then there are number of things you can do.

In the first place, the worst situation is that you sit around and do nothing, allowing time and opportunity to pass you by. If there are any martial arts schools in your area, then join one. Regardless of whether it is a hard or soft martial style, or whether the teacher isn’t of the highest level, the knowledge you receive from your training will carry over into Tai Chi. The basic principles for physical training in the martial arts tend to be the same. You need to develop a limber, stable body, and be able to strike effectively. Furthermore, the more you learn, the easier it will be to learn more. Hence, advanced students who train in a new martial style, will often learn more quickly than someone without any previous martial arts experience at all. When learning a martial art, your mind gets accustomed to performing strikes and kicks, forms and kata, and your body becomes stronger and more flexible. This will all carry over into Tai Chi practice when the opportunity to learn arises.

Second, do a bit of research on the internet into Tai Chi seminars occurring around your country or even internationally. It is always nice to take a vacation, and 3 or 4 days or more devoted entirely to practice will help to jumpstart your practice of Tai Chi. Keep your eyes open and whenever you see a good seminar you think you can attend, don’t hesitate to sign up. The more you learn, the more your skills will increase.

Third, make sure that you make a daily practice of what you learn in the seminars. In ancient times, not all martial arts practitioners had the convenience of a teacher living in their neighborhood. Some had to travel thousands of miles for the sake of a short meeting and a few wise points for practice. Diligent practice and deep reflection helped them to reach their goal. What matters most is not really how much you learn, but how you use what you learn. The best martial arts practitioners today generally have a few strikes they use with effectiveness.

Fourth and finally, from there, pick up a book or videos on Tai Chi and try to fill in the gaps that are missing. On their own, such material is far from satisfactory – one simply cannot learn Tai Chi from a book. However, in conjunction with seminars and daily practice, books and videos can be inspiring and can also help to remind us of and correct common mistakes that we make. In the end success and failure depend upon oneself. Make the choice to learn, and with effort, you’ll find the way.