Tai Chi - Roots And Branches

What are the roots of Tai Chi?
Many of the principles informing Tai Chi and the postures of the form originate from observations of nature made by the ancient Taoists. Other evocative images we become familiar with as we practice include: Grasp the Bird’s Tail, Embrace Tiger and Return to Mountain, Wave Hands like Clouds, Step Up to Form Seven Stars, Retreat to Ride Tiger, and many more.
Each of these images evoke a particular feeling, can be represented in movement, and have a specific application, with both health and martial arts aspects to them.
Through observations of nature, the ancient Taoists learnt to live in harmony with it, and devised many art forms (the practice of Tai Chi being one of them) in order to cultivate a happy, healthy, and balanced relationship with all of life.
Thus, the movements and principles of Tai Chi teach us how to live more in harmony with ourselves, those around us and our environment. The path of the ancient Taoists was one of listening and responding to the environment (rather than seeing it as something to control), and then adjusting actions in order to live more in harmony with it. Through the practice of Tai Chi, we can begin to orient ourselves to a more balanced (and sustainable) way of living. A quality that is so much needed in the world right now.
Tai Chi is a dynamic form of moving meditation helping bring about calm and peace of mind whilst gently exercising the whole body. It stresses the principles of relaxation and yielding, and the cultivation of inner strength and harmony.

How Nature informs our practice
The way in which the ancient Taoists used observations of nature to inform their lifestyle and practices is illustrated by this story of how Chan San-Feng, a Taoist priest who lived in the 14th Century, ‘discovered’ Tai Chi in a dream. Chan San-Feng is widely believed to have been the founder of Tai Chi as an art form.The story goes that God taught Chan San-Feng the art of Tai Chi in a dream. In the dream, a crane and a snake were engaged in mortal combat. Chan San-Feng noticed how the snake would recoil to avoid the crane's attack before striking and how the crane would use its wings to softly cover the snake. He then had insight about the practicality of yielding, pliability and softness, and thus the principles underlying Tai Chi as we know it today were born, from observations of the natural environment.
In recent years there has been increasing interest in the ancient art of Tai Chi, which, for centuries, has been a closely guarded secret in China. All across China, in the early mornings from five o’clock onwards, you can see people of all ages practicing Tai Chi in the parks or at the side of the road. Tai Chi is amazingly accessible because all the practices and movements are easy to perform, are done in a natural relaxed way, and cause no excessive stress on the body.

From its origins in 14th Century China, the practice of Tai Chi has been handed down from generation to generation and is widely recognized as a simple art form with profound benefits for health, vitality and well-being. With just 20 minutes practice each day, on a regular basis, you can experience real tangible benefits.

Personal Encounters

My first encounter with Tai Chi was while traveling in Tibet back in the late 1980s. I was staying at the Yak Hotel near the Jokhan Temple in Lhasa. After having spent several months traveling in India and Nepal staying in a variety of different meditation centre, ashrams, and spiritual sites, I was interested in deepening in my meditation practice. However, I was finding it hard to sit on a cushion for hours on end! I needed something more ‘active’ and physical as a support to my practice. I am someone who enjoys an active life-style.

One early morning I witnessed a young couple practicing a set of slow, flowing movements in a deep state of meditative calm. Just watching them helped me feel more calm and relaxed myself. I knew this was what I wanted to practice. This was my first encounter with the practice of Tai Chi. The first thing I did upon my return to England was find a Tai Chi class, and I have been practicing on a regular basis ever since and felt much more alive, healthy, and alert as a result. Over time, the practice of Tai Chi has helped me experience a calmer state of mind, deep relaxation, reduced stress, improved health, and a sense of inner peace . These qualities are available to each and everyone of us.

Health Benefits of regular Tai Chi practice

The beneficial effects of Tai Chi have much to do with its characteristic features – the concentration and mental focus required, the slow controlled movements, and regular deep breathing are all contributory factors in the prevention and treatment of disease.

Tai Chi has been recommended for a variety of ailments including arthritis , hypertension, stress, poor posture, insomnia, asthma, pulmonary-tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis. It has also been proven to be both preventative and curative, gentle enough to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Tai Chi is beneficial for your health if practised on a regular basis, refreshing and stimulating the body without causing exhaustion. The gentle, controlled, circular movements will not abuse weight-bearing joints. It aids circulation, vascular and lymphatic drainage, improves posture and reduces stress and tension. Tai Chi also mobilizes stiff joints and helps reduces back pain by promoting good posture and strengthening muscles. It helps strengthen the immune system.

The health benefits of regular and sustained practice of Tai Chi may include:

· Calming and balancing of mental functions
· Improved confidence and self-awareness
· Support and improvement to blood circulation
· Improvements in vascular and lymphatic drainage
· Improved posture and structural alignment
· Gentle mobilisation of stiff joints and strengthening of the muscles
· Deepening of breathing, and the balancing of blood pressure
· Improved balance and co-ordination, and increased control and awareness
· Gradual building-up of strength and stamina

Practical Information

If you are interested in exploring the practice of Tai Chi, there is no substitute to practicing with a teacher who can share his/her personal experiences, expertise and insights.

There are many Tai Chi Teachers around the world, but to gain maximum benefit it is important to seek out a recognised and qualified teacher with whom to practice, especially if you are new to this beautiful art. Tai Chi Nation teachers are all qualified and registered.

Andrew Broadhead
March 2008
http://www.taichination.com