
THE INTENTION OF TAI CHI
A focus of Tai Chi is to combine mind, body and spirit to work as one. According to Chinese medicine “Qi” is the vital force that animates the body as well as the electrical impulses that travel through the nervous system. Practicing Tai Chi is a way to foster the cultivation and enhance the circulation of Qi in the body, which can also help with balance, coordination, proper breathing and developing fine motor skills. Tai Chi can help one to better, stand, walk, run and enhance any type of physical movement. As a moving meditation it can help to build concentration and develop a calm mind, thus relieving stress. Tai Chi has helped me personally achieve this, as well as enhance all my physical and mental activities.
While meditation and health are important to the practice of Tai Chi, we should not forget its original intension as a martial art. The full name of Tai Chi is “Tai Chi Chuan” which is translated as grand ultimate fist or boxing. When I teach Tai Chi, I try to instill a sense of intention behind every movement, which enhances the mindfulness aspects of the training. This means gaining a deep understanding of every technique, its meaning and application in real life. This does not necessarily mean that one can use this as self-defense; that would require additional training. However, by learning the martial applications one can acquire a more complete perspective of the form and execute with a greater proficiency.
Chinese martial arts are the only martial arts based on Chinese medicine. Many of the ancient masters were also doctors. As a result, many of the forms of training have medical and health techniques built into the various martial art systems. Tai Chi is one of the strongest in this area. One of the greatest benefits that comes from all Chinese martial arts training is that 50% of it is training the mind. Based on the principle of Neuroplasticity, the brain is not a fixed object. New pathways are created while old ones are dying. Exercises like Tai Chi help the brain constantly create new pathways. This can be achieved by learning anything new but Tai Chi uniquely incorporates a physical dimension, add the breathing and meditative aspects and it becomes a spiritual exercise as well.
In the class I have seen the students also improve in these areas. In just a few short lessons improvements in balance and coordination became apparent. Over time a students reflexes, strength and over-all heath improves and they gain an increase in focus and awareness. Self-defense is a crucial part of Tai Chi and by knowing the correct martial applications of the Tai Chi form, student gains a heightened awareness and sense of purpose in each movement, thus creating a higher quality of practice. It’s a correct understanding of the intention of Tai Chi that creates an authentic mind-body connection. Moving mindfully, aided by the breath to get blood, fluid and Qi flowing is the goal. When the physical and the mental come together with the breath, then the mind, body and spirit are working as one. It is an old Chinese saying that between heaven and earth is the human being, between the mind and the body is the breath, both unite the two.
Training the mind to be present and aware can be rigorous but the benefit is that you fully experience life. Tai chi is a lifestyle, take what you learn in class into your life and live every moment!
A focus of Tai Chi is to combine mind, body and spirit to work as one. According to Chinese medicine “Qi” is the vital force that animates the body as well as the electrical impulses that travel through the nervous system. Practicing Tai Chi is a way to foster the cultivation and enhance the circulation of Qi in the body, which can also help with balance, coordination, proper breathing and developing fine motor skills. Tai Chi can help one to better, stand, walk, run and enhance any type of physical movement. As a moving meditation it can help to build concentration and develop a calm mind, thus relieving stress. Tai Chi has helped me personally achieve this, as well as enhance all my physical and mental activities.
While meditation and health are important to the practice of Tai Chi, we should not forget its original intension as a martial art. The full name of Tai Chi is “Tai Chi Chuan” which is translated as grand ultimate fist or boxing. When I teach Tai Chi, I try to instill a sense of intention behind every movement, which enhances the mindfulness aspects of the training. This means gaining a deep understanding of every technique, its meaning and application in real life. This does not necessarily mean that one can use this as self-defense; that would require additional training. However, by learning the martial applications one can acquire a more complete perspective of the form and execute with a greater proficiency.
Chinese martial arts are the only martial arts based on Chinese medicine. Many of the ancient masters were also doctors. As a result, many of the forms of training have medical and health techniques built into the various martial art systems. Tai Chi is one of the strongest in this area. One of the greatest benefits that comes from all Chinese martial arts training is that 50% of it is training the mind. Based on the principle of Neuroplasticity, the brain is not a fixed object. New pathways are created while old ones are dying. Exercises like Tai Chi help the brain constantly create new pathways. This can be achieved by learning anything new but Tai Chi uniquely incorporates a physical dimension, add the breathing and meditative aspects and it becomes a spiritual exercise as well.
In the class I have seen the students also improve in these areas. In just a few short lessons improvements in balance and coordination became apparent. Over time a students reflexes, strength and over-all heath improves and they gain an increase in focus and awareness. Self-defense is a crucial part of Tai Chi and by knowing the correct martial applications of the Tai Chi form, student gains a heightened awareness and sense of purpose in each movement, thus creating a higher quality of practice. It’s a correct understanding of the intention of Tai Chi that creates an authentic mind-body connection. Moving mindfully, aided by the breath to get blood, fluid and Qi flowing is the goal. When the physical and the mental come together with the breath, then the mind, body and spirit are working as one. It is an old Chinese saying that between heaven and earth is the human being, between the mind and the body is the breath, both unite the two.
Training the mind to be present and aware can be rigorous but the benefit is that you fully experience life. Tai chi is a lifestyle, take what you learn in class into your life and live every moment!