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| | What is Tai-Chi ? 什 麼 是 太 極 ? | To simplify the word of Tai-Chi :
Two equal forces moving in the opposite direction and created a complete balance, it can be moving in one straight line or moving in a circular path. We may also describe the Tai-Chi as The balance of all forces. | | | Tai-Chi Ch'uan is based on this philosophy and applies to the physical movement, uses the hands and legs as the two extremes, moving the body in the space and creates new balance in each movement. The movement can be the combination of the right hand and the left hand, right arm and left arm, or the combination of hands and legs together, the torso is the transition to allow the energy to flow through. The movement can be in fully relaxed and calm state, or in the combat mode, deliver and release the energy in a highly efficient and powerful manner. | | | As we all know, Tai-Chi Ch'uan is based on the relaxation of all muscles and joints, moving slowly like the breeze or flowing water, but how does it related to the delivery of energy? Let me hold on to this question and emphasize on the relaxation first. Because moving without a fully relaxed body, the energy flow will be trapped within the body itself. | | | First, let’s find out how Master Dan Lee defines the Tai-Chi Ch'uan. Dan is a well known and well qualified tai-chi Master in Los Angeles area, he is one of the pioneer brought the Tai-Chi into the area, you are encouraged to visit his web at www.danleetaichi.com Tai Chi Ch'uan is a set of naturally flowing movements for health, relaxation, meditation and self-defense. It originated in China nearly 1000 years ago. Since then it has been highly valued as one of the treasures of China.
The Tai Chi Ch'uan exercise, which is called a "form" consists of a serious of movements (postures) that are performed slowly in a continuous sequence with a spirit of calmness, balance, and awareness. Originally, the art was a closely guarded family secret. Today, it is practiced by millions of people, both young and old, in China and around the world.
Health and Fitness
Regular practice of Tai Chi Ch'uan develops strength and flexibility of the joints, muscles and ligaments. Tai Chi Ch'uan also enhances the performance of the cardiovascular system with a minimum of stress. It is classified as a low impact aerobatic exercise, comparable to walking. Because of the gentle nature of Tai Chi Ch'uan, it is often used as therapeutic exercise by people who are recovering from illness or injury or for those who are beginning an exercise program and who are "out of shape".
Relaxation
Tai Chi Ch'uan teaches a way of relaxation. But it is not like being asleep or totally limp. Rather, it is relaxation with vitality. Under pressure, one is still relaxed and at ease and enjoying oneself. There is still tone in the body and alertness in the mind. Through the daily practice of Tai Chi Ch'uan, one learns to use the body more efficiently, and to achieve greater results with less effort. One then has more energy left over to ward off illness and enjoy the good things in life. ---- End ---- |
| | | The human mind and body are also two equal forces directly link to each other, any energy that directly links to each other and creates a balance is also called Tai-Chi, and so Tai-Chi can be in any form, any where, any time and in any state. | | | Yes, Tai Chi Ch'uan is an exercise, an exercise that combines a series of forms, there are many other exercises may get the similar result as opposed to the Tai-Chi to the health, like jugging, hiking, dancing, swimming, playing tennis and more.... but what makes the Tai-Chi Ch'uan so unique and so different from others ? | | | 1. The Relaxation is the most important part of Tai-Chi Ch'uan. If some one asks you what Tai-Chi Ch'uan is? The proper answer would be -- to put your body in a fully relaxed state then start moving the energy in a fully concentrated and coordinated manner.
The Chinese character “鬆" (pronounce SONG) means relaxation, means totally let go of all tensions in the body and relax every muscle and joint, from the top of your scalp down to your toes. Don't ever say it's easy to do, just put it down and let go of it. No, it takes practice, take weeks and months of practice. But from each practice, you will see the result right away, gain the benefit of health. It has hundreds different relaxing state you will be experienced, one is more advanced than the other, it's like walking on the step ladder, from each practice you move up one step, and I guarantee you, you will feel the difference each time and feel the comfort and joy from each practice.
My first Tai-Chi Instructor Leo Wong (王立佑)was from Shang-hai, China, I was his first student in the U.S. He described his personal experience about the relaxation during his tai-Chi Ch'uan practice -- "Moving like there are no muscles attach to the bones..., only the skeleton is moving around". That was his word of relaxation, and I say, he had achieved the highest level of relaxation in Tai-Chi Ch'uan, it's not easy to do it in motion, but believe me, it's not that hard either, the practice will take you there, if you follow the instruction and practice accordingly. | | | 2. Our muscles and joints are easily to get tensed; it becomes worse when tension builds up in our mind. It’s hard to be detected by our consciousness if we are not used to the relaxation.
When we try to deliver the energy with our tightened muscles and joints, the energy is being strained and trapped within the muscle itself; the efficiency will be so far behind its peak level. Leo Wong explained the energy flow with a Cowboy whip. The whip is soft and smooth, without any node in between. Soft and smooth equal the relaxation of muscle and joint, no node means, there is no sudden bent or twist to stop the energy from going through. When the whip is slapped and swung to an object, the energy travels like a wave, one wave pushing the other, by the time it reaches the end, the amount of energy has reached to its maximum, and it could easily knock a big piece out of a tree trunk. It also has a deep penetration effect, because the duration and its lengthening impact. Another way to explain the energy is like firing a machine gun, one bullet follows the other, shooting into the same hole, the result of damage would be enormous.
Talking about the lengthen impact. When I practice Tai-Chi Ch'uan, I always contemplate the energy travels 75 feet away when I push the energy outward, and making it non-stop. So, when I move around, I'm not only moving the body within a few square yards, I'm moving the energy in the whole environment, and extending to the whole Universe, eventually I feel the whole Universe is my body and I'm the Universe itself, I'm moving the Universe and massaging the Universe with the Chi and energy. It combines body and mind into one --- a complete Tai-Chi circle. | | | 3. Master Wong (王立佑)further explained the fighting power --- Fa-Jin ( 發勁 -- the explosive energy), like the trigger mechanism in a hand gun, the fighter's hand is like the trigger pin, and the feet are like the anchor to support the whole trigger mechanism. He also described moving the body is like moving a stick, the stick has two ends, one hits the target and the other supported by the ground, and I say, there is a great secret lies between these two ends -- it's the torso, the secret will be revealed when the body is completely relaxed (will be discussed). | | | Ok, I've given you the basic concept about the Tai-Chi Ch'uan, we will move on to the next topic, talking about Chi? What is Chi? What's the energy flow? And after that, I'll explain the state of relaxation and the technique to relax the body. Remember, relaxation is the spirit of Tai-Chi Ch'uan, the foundation of Tai-Chi Ch'uan and the beginning and the end of Tai-Chi Ch'uan.
So, when some one asks you what Tai-Chi Ch'uan is, your answer should be "song,song,song 鬆鬆鬆". Ok, you have passed the first test. | | | Author: Skydancer |
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