Yoga in Motion, Moving Meditation, Soft Martial Art...

Tai chi is an internal Chinese martial art often practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity. Tai chi is considered a soft style martial art, an art to harness your internal power called “chi” or “qi”. It is a form of moving meditation, as focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form reportedly helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning the movement increases and opens the internal circulation (breath, body heat, lymphatic system etc.)

Master Zi said "Asking what is Tai Chi is like asking what is kiss? - Any answer feels leaving a big hole".

That is so true. Hearing about it 1000 times or watching it 100 times won't even come near experiencing Tai Chi once. Tai Chi is an experience. In my experience, Tai Chi is GREAT - grounding, relaxing, energizing, actualizing, and therapeutic. What will be for you - I can't say. So, I recommend you experience it yourself.

Perhaps if you have heard of Tai Chi, you have a image in your mind. If you have a certain perception about this art, you may benefit from this article: Common Misconception about Tai Chi.

Tai Chi Facts

If you are an intellectual type and wants to know the facts in detail, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_Chi_Chuan

3 Aspects of Tai Chi

To me, Tai Chi has 3 aspects: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual (or Energetic.) Physical is probably the most apparent part. It will train your body, recreate your body, and relaxes your body. Mental part is a very practical part. You will learn so much about your mind works and how your mind and body work together when you do Tai Chi. Energetic part may not be apparent at first, but through practice, I realized how to use energetic part of myself that is not visible to my physical eyes.

3 Applications of Tai Chi

When you take classes from Master Zi, you will experience 3 applications of Tai Chi. They are philosophical, martial, and medicinal applications of Tai Chi. I think this is why answering to "What is Tai Chi?" varies from person to person, and time to time. Depending on what application you are focusing on, you have completely different experience.

1) Philosophical Application

2) Medicinal Application

3) Martial Application

Let's take a look one at a time.

Philosophical Application

Tai Chi philosophy stems from Tao Te Ching//Taoist philosophy. As you do Tai Chi, you experience and understand these philosophies in your body and mind.

Example:"Yield and Overcome" "Bend and be straight"

With philosophy, each movement accompanies beautiful poetic scene drawn from nature. These imagining clarify the intent of the movements then create the proper emotion or energy in you.

Medicinal Application

Tai Chi teaches us to move, breathe, and feel our body. We didn't come with instruction on "how to use your body", but when you strait to learn Tai Chi, you will start to understand how your body works- and how you can effectively use your body.

Tai Chi movements also has great impact on your body at anatomical (posture), energetic (Meridian or Qi) and cellular level (breath and energy cleansing). If you have any discomfort in your body, you can use Tai Chi to speed up the recovery and help restore you to the natural state of wellness.

Martial Application

Tai Chi, as soft and gracefully as it is, is martial arts. Tai Chi movements have combat scenarios behind them. You will learn how to read the energy of the opponents and how to redirect their energy.

You will also learn the mind-set of the master in martial arts. We have various conditioned reactions stored in our body. With proper Martial application guidance and practice of Tai Chi, you will train out the negative fear-based reaction from your body and learn to respond effectively. In your regular life, you can take these lessons and live a life of harmony without conflicts.

"What is Tai Chi going to do for me ??"

So this question is up to you. Based on the 3 applications above, did you see anything you want to develop more of?

If yes, then you may know what the answer is to this question. Whatever you are seeking, be patient with yourself. Any habits you developed over the years are stubborn creatures. Give yourself time.

If this is the first time going to Tai Chi class, be sure to read up on Your First Tai Chi class.

The purpose of this site is to introduce Tai Chi and share the goodness of Tai Chi.

You can use Tai Chi idea in your real life - to live well!!