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Tai Chi
Experience the Ancient Art of Tai Chi
By Charlene Torkelson
Hands wave like clouds. White crane spreads wings. Yellow bee returns to nest. Snake creeps down. Parting the wild horse's mane. Grasp the sparrow's tail. Push the boat with the current. These phrases might remind you of an exotic game preserve. They are the movements of one of the most popular and growing forms of exercise in the world: Tai Chi.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of exercise embedded within the philosophy of Taoism. "Chi" refers to the Taoist principle of universal energy that flows through everything. Tao founder Lao Tsu's writings often referred to movement and balance:
"He who stands of tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain pace." – Tao Te Ching
Taoist monks practiced the Tai Chi art of breathing as far back as 122 BC. In the 6th century AD, the 18-form Lohan exercise was introduced to the Taoist monasteries by Bodihdharma. The isolation of the monastery blended the beauty of nature with the need for protection. Tai Chi includes not only the flowing dance-like moves most often associated with this art, but also the combat and weapon use forms.
If you are surprised that Tai Chi includes combat and weaponry, remember that it is a form of martial arts. Often people do not realize that it fits this form of movement. People associate this exercise with slow motions – which it has. Tai Chi follows the Taoism philosophy of slow, balanced, centered, soft, yielding and supple. When considering Tai Chi, note that some styles emphasize the martial arts, others the breathing and mediation and still others the exercise. Choose the appropriate one for your own needs. Most classes will specify the direction emphasized.
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