Like the ocean with no beginning and no end - only the perpetual flow of legs, arms, hands... The perfect balance of Yin and Yang energy; glistening in the light - emanating life. Every step brings the flesh closer to the earth. Every breath re-unites the soul with the heavens. Each figure a unique personification of the universe with an endless yearning to blend its essence with the Great Ultimate, the "Tai Chi". The foundation of Tai Chi began with the concept of Yin and Yang, the principal energy forces making up the universe. A circle divided equally by a serpentine line represents the Yin and Yang symbol. One half is black and one white. Within each figure is a small circle containing the opposite color. This signifies that everything embodies something from its contrasting side. The curved line and the joining of the figures demonstrate a mutual need and interdependence of the two. It is impossible to have one without the other.
When the two halves of the Yin and Yang are in balance, the Chi will be harmonious and the health at an optimum level. Tai Chi has been described as a moving meditation. This phenomenon develops naturally with the blending of the mind and body through the practice of the slow rhythmic movements. The unique pace of Tai Chi enables the mind and body to develop a special relationship as well as embrace and become one with the flow of the universe. As familiarity with the form increases, the movements develop a natural rhythm and the state of meditation deepens. Because of this many practitioners describe the physical and emotional exhilaration they experience after performing Tai Chi. "In every movement the entire body should be light and agile and all of its parts connected like a string of pearls". Chang San-Feng There are two major styles of Tai Chi. The Chen, created by a Taoist, Chang San-Feng, can trace its origins back more than 800 years. The Yang Family style, originated by Yang Lu-Chan in the early 1800's, is the most popular form practiced today. Yang Lu-chan is credited with popularizing Tai Chi by drastically restructuring the form.
He deleted several difficult jumps, leaps, and aggressive kicks and punches thus creating a program suitable for all ages and physical conditions. His family continued to improve the style until it evolved into its present form known as the Yang Family Style "Large Frame" which consists of 108 continuous movements. Tai Chi Chuan - the Great Ultimate Fist, was originally created as a martial art. The Yang Style, also a fighting form, evolved into a comprehensive exercise program to improve health, cure illness and revitalize the mind, body and spirit. "Tai Chi Chuan is an art with strength concealed in gentle movements, like an iron hand in a velvet glove, or a needle concealed in cotton". Yang Cheng-fu. Tai Chi also incorporates the Taoist principal of "Wu Wei" which translates literally as "doing nothing to disturb the spontaneous flow of things". When Tai Chi is performed with grace and intention, there is a natural rhythm that mirrors the ebbs and flows of the Great Universal, the perpetual movement of energy in the universe. The concept of Yin and Yang, the foundation of Chinese culture, metaphysics and medicine, is more than 3000 years old. Everything in the universe can be categorized as Yin or Yang.
Examples of Yin are female, night, cold, soft, black and the corresponding Yang energies are male, day, fire, hard and white. When Yin and Yang energies are balanced, all things are in harmony. Tai Chi is considered one of the Nei Gong or internal arts, meaning its primary focus is to develop the body from the inside out. This is in contrast to Wai Gong training, which emphasizes external muscle development. Regular practice of Tai Chi has been proven to have many positive effects for the mind, body and spirit. Physical benefits may include improved posture, balance and flexibility, more strength and endurance, correct digestive irregularities, increase muscle and bone density, normalize the metabolism and strengthen the immune system. Favorable mental and spiritual results that often occur are relief of tension and stress, release anxiety, create a mind-body connection, enhance focus and awareness, remove energy blocks, gain a sense of calmness and well-being and lessen mood swings. Tai Chi will also effectively treat chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and migraines.
The 108 continuous movements which make up the Yang Style Tai Chi form are a perfect blend of Yin and Yang energies, strengthening muscle tissue through the continuous tensing and relaxing motions; massaging the joints by the process of the slow, rhythmic transition from one movement to the next; and stimulating and exercising the internal organs as a result of the gentle twisting and turning of the waist. Improved breathing techniques contribute greatly to the overall benefits of Tai Chi practice. The internal organs work tirelessly in the background, mostly unnoticed until one or more begins to fail. Unlike external muscles, the organs are rarely exercised during western style calisthenics. Tai Chi's unique approach not only strengthens muscles, bones and tendons, but also stimulates and rejuvenates the organs through the employment of lower abdominal breathing and the extensive range of gentle twisting movements. In Chinese metaphysics, the development of proper breathing techniques is one of the keys to good health.
By inhaling deep into the lower abdomen, you are directing the Chi to permeate and massage the internal organs. As babies we all breathed this way, however the aging process and other learned behaviors causes us to inhale and exhale through the chest and ignore the organs. With practice the lower abdomen breathing becomes natural and every breath exercises your internal body. Nei wai xiang he literally means, "inner and outer mutually combine". When the physical movements act in unison with intention, the form will be harmonious. Yong yi bu yang li translates as "use the mind instead of force". The mind is the engine that directs the motion of the body and the Chi. In doing so, great power is generated without the use of physical force. Physically demanding activities such as jogging, weight lifting or high impact aerobics may not be suitable for everyone. However, the slow and evenly paced movements of Yang Style Tai Chi make it uniquely adaptable to young, old, strong and weak. The intensity of the training can be perfectly matched to the age and health of the participant much the same as a dimmer switch regulates the brightness of a light. This means that all people - athletes, dancers, elderly... will benefit from regular practice of Tai Chi. With 108 movements, there is a broad range of motion that exercises every cell of the body at a level that reaches deep into the very core. Yang Style Tai Chi, widely practiced in China since its conception, is rapidly becoming an internationally popular exercise system.
It is not uncommon to see groups of people in parks and neighborhoods moving gracefully through the form as one body, one spirit. Besides the vast array of health benefits, there are many advantages to regular practice of Tai Chi. No equipment is needed nor is a trip to the gym. There are no special clothing requirements. All one needs to wear is a comfortable outfit that allows a wide range of movement and athletic shoes. Regarding a training facility, any moderately sized space with a flat surface will work. Tai Chi can be practiced alone or with others, in silence or with music. A warm-up is not necessary, enabling the form or individual movements to be performed anywhere, anytime. Through Tai Chi a mind/body connection develops that is unlike any other. The slow, relaxed pace of the form creates a unique bond where the mind sees the movements and transfers that vision to the physical body.
With practice, the mind and body begin to act and re-act as one entity. When this stage is reached, there is a deeper understanding of who and what we are. The purpose of our existence and the nature of our relationship with everyone and everything around us become clearer. Who should do Tai Chi? All, young and old alike will benefit whether it is your primary form of exercise or simply added to an existing program. The key is regular practice of the movements blended with meditation to attain a state of mindfulness. The goal is to allow the form to become a permanent part of your mind, body and spirit. To make this a reality, you must take the first step, which is to find a qualified instructor to begin your journey of knowledge and learning. THE ESSENCE OF TAO Looked at but not seen:
Its name is formless. Listened to but not heard:
Its name is soundless. Reached for but not obtained:
Its name is intangible. From the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
The Tao - the Way, is there for all of us. It is simply a
matter of choosing the right path and experiencing the journey
with all our hearts. Make Tai Chi a part of your Tao.
© 2006 Edward Niam, All Rights Reserved
Edward Niam is the founder of Tai Chi Institute of Cleveland located in Hudson, Ohio and creator of The Movement of Life, a unique program for all ages blending the healing qualities of Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong, Meditation, Shaolin Kung Fu and Traditional Chinese Medicine to fine tune and recharge your mental, physical and spiritual health. He can be reached at 330-564-7558, edniam@windstream.net, and http://www.taichicleveland.com.
Edward Niam is founder of Tai Chi Institute of Cleveland which provides training to help people of all ages improve their mental, physical and spiritual health through concepts found in Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong, Meditation, Shaolin Kung Fu and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is a master of Shaolin Kung Fu and Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been helping people utilize the secrets of alternative therapies for over 30 years.