| A golden beach, the smell of salt air and bodies | | | | migraines. |
| proceeding in unison with a dance like motion; | | | | The 108 continuous movements which make up |
| slow, graceful, deliberate movements advancing | | | | the Yang Style Tai Chi form are a perfect blend |
| as a gentle wave. Like the ocean with no | | | | of Yin and Yang energies, strengthening muscle |
| beginning and no end - only the perpetual flow of | | | | tissue through the continuous tensing and relaxing |
| legs, arms, hands... The perfect balance of Yin and | | | | motions; massaging the joints by the process of |
| Yang energy; glistening in the light - emanating life. | | | | the slow, rhythmic transition from one movement |
| Every step brings the flesh closer to the earth. | | | | to the next; and stimulating and exercising the |
| Every breath re-unites the soul with the heavens. | | | | internal organs as a result of the gentle twisting |
| Each figure a unique personification of the | | | | and turning of the waist. Improved breathing |
| universe with an endless yearning to blend its | | | | techniques contribute greatly to the overall |
| essence with the Great Ultimate, the "Tai Chi". | | | | benefits of Tai Chi practice. The internal organs |
| The foundation of Tai Chi began with the concept | | | | work tirelessly in the background, mostly |
| of Yin and Yang, the principal energy forces | | | | unnoticed until one or more begins to fail. Unlike |
| making up the universe. A circle divided equally by | | | | external muscles, the organs are rarely exercised |
| a serpentine line represents the Yin and Yang | | | | during western style calisthenics. Tai Chi's unique |
| symbol. One half is black and one white. Within | | | | approach not only strengthens muscles, bones |
| each figure is a small circle containing the opposite | | | | and tendons, but also stimulates and rejuvenates |
| color. This signifies that everything embodies | | | | the organs through the employment of lower |
| something from its contrasting side. The curved | | | | abdominal breathing and the extensive range of |
| line and the joining of the figures demonstrate a | | | | gentle twisting movements. In Chinese |
| mutual need and interdependence of the two. It is | | | | metaphysics, the development of proper |
| impossible to have one without the other. | | | | breathing techniques is one of the keys to good |
| When the two halves of the Yin and Yang are in | | | | health. |
| balance, the Chi will be harmonious and the health | | | | By inhaling deep into the lower abdomen, you are |
| at an optimum level. Tai Chi has been described | | | | directing the Chi to permeate and massage the |
| as a moving meditation. This phenomenon | | | | internal organs. As babies we all breathed this |
| develops naturally with the blending of the mind | | | | way, however the aging process and other |
| and body through the practice of the slow | | | | learned behaviors causes us to inhale and exhale |
| rhythmic movements. The unique pace of Tai Chi | | | | through the chest and ignore the organs. With |
| enables the mind and body to develop a special | | | | practice the lower abdomen breathing becomes |
| relationship as well as embrace and become one | | | | natural and every breath exercises your internal |
| with the flow of the universe. As familiarity with | | | | body. Nei wai xiang he literally means, "inner and |
| the form increases, the movements develop a | | | | outer mutually combine". When the physical |
| natural rhythm and the state of meditation | | | | movements act in unison with intention, the form |
| deepens. Because of this many practitioners | | | | will be harmonious. Yong yi bu yang li translates as |
| describe the physical and emotional exhilaration | | | | "use the mind instead of force". The mind is the |
| they experience after performing Tai Chi. "In | | | | engine that directs the motion of the body and |
| every movement the entire body should be light | | | | the Chi. In doing so, great power is generated |
| and agile and all of its parts connected like a string | | | | without the use of physical force. Physically |
| of pearls". Chang San-Feng There are two major | | | | demanding activities such as jogging, weight lifting |
| styles of Tai Chi. The Chen, created by a Taoist, | | | | or high impact aerobics may not be suitable for |
| Chang San-Feng, can trace its origins back more | | | | everyone. However, the slow and evenly paced |
| than 800 years. The Yang Family style, originated | | | | movements of Yang Style Tai Chi make it |
| by Yang Lu-Chan in the early 1800's, is the most | | | | uniquely adaptable to young, old, strong and weak. |
| popular form practiced today. Yang Lu-chan is | | | | The intensity of the training can be perfectly |
| credited with popularizing Tai Chi by drastically | | | | matched to the age and health of the participant |
| restructuring the form. | | | | much the same as a dimmer switch regulates the |
| He deleted several difficult jumps, leaps, and | | | | brightness of a light. This means that all people - |
| aggressive kicks and punches thus creating a | | | | athletes, dancers, elderly... will benefit from regular |
| program suitable for all ages and physical | | | | practice of Tai Chi. With 108 movements, there is |
| conditions. His family continued to improve the | | | | a broad range of motion that exercises every cell |
| style until it evolved into its present form known | | | | of the body at a level that reaches deep into the |
| as the Yang Family Style "Large Frame" which | | | | very core. Yang Style Tai Chi, widely practiced in |
| consists of 108 continuous movements. Tai Chi | | | | China since its conception, is rapidly becoming an |
| Chuan - the Great Ultimate Fist, was originally | | | | internationally popular exercise system. |
| created as a martial art. The Yang Style, also a | | | | It is not uncommon to see groups of people in |
| fighting form, evolved into a comprehensive | | | | parks and neighborhoods moving gracefully |
| exercise program to improve health, cure illness | | | | through the form as one body, one spirit. Besides |
| and revitalize the mind, body and spirit. "Tai Chi | | | | the vast array of health benefits, there are many |
| Chuan is an art with strength concealed in gentle | | | | advantages to regular practice of Tai Chi. No |
| movements, like an iron hand in a velvet glove, or | | | | equipment is needed nor is a trip to the gym. |
| a needle concealed in cotton". Yang Cheng-fu. Tai | | | | There are no special clothing requirements. All one |
| Chi also incorporates the Taoist principal of "Wu | | | | needs to wear is a comfortable outfit that allows |
| Wei" which translates literally as "doing nothing to | | | | a wide range of movement and athletic shoes. |
| disturb the spontaneous flow of things". When Tai | | | | Regarding a training facility, any moderately sized |
| Chi is performed with grace and intention, there is | | | | space with a flat surface will work. Tai Chi can be |
| a natural rhythm that mirrors the ebbs and flows | | | | practiced alone or with others, in silence or with |
| of the Great Universal, the perpetual movement | | | | music. A warm-up is not necessary, enabling the |
| of energy in the universe. The concept of Yin and | | | | form or individual movements to be performed |
| Yang, the foundation of Chinese culture, | | | | anywhere, anytime. Through Tai Chi a mind/body |
| metaphysics and medicine, is more than 3000 | | | | connection develops that is unlike any other. The |
| years old. Everything in the universe can be | | | | slow, relaxed pace of the form creates a unique |
| categorized as Yin or Yang. | | | | bond where the mind sees the movements and |
| Examples of Yin are female, night, cold, soft, | | | | transfers that vision to the physical body. |
| black and the corresponding Yang energies are | | | | With practice, the mind and body begin to act and |
| male, day, fire, hard and white. When Yin and | | | | re-act as one entity. When this stage is reached, |
| Yang energies are balanced, all things are in | | | | there is a deeper understanding of who and what |
| harmony. Tai Chi is considered one of the Nei | | | | we are. The purpose of our existence and the |
| Gong or internal arts, meaning its primary focus is | | | | nature of our relationship with everyone and |
| to develop the body from the inside out. This is in | | | | everything around us become clearer. Who should |
| contrast to Wai Gong training, which emphasizes | | | | do Tai Chi? All, young and old alike will benefit |
| external muscle development. Regular practice of | | | | whether it is your primary form of exercise or |
| Tai Chi has been proven to have many positive | | | | simply added to an existing program. The key is |
| effects for the mind, body and spirit. Physical | | | | regular practice of the movements blended with |
| benefits may include improved posture, balance | | | | meditation to attain a state of mindfulness. The |
| and flexibility, more strength and endurance, | | | | goal is to allow the form to become a permanent |
| correct digestive irregularities, increase muscle and | | | | part of your mind, body and spirit. To make this a |
| bone density, normalize the metabolism and | | | | reality, you must take the first step, which is to |
| strengthen the immune system. Favorable mental | | | | find a qualified instructor to begin your journey of |
| and spiritual results that often occur are relief of | | | | knowledge and learning. THE ESSENCE OF TAO |
| tension and stress, release anxiety, create a | | | | Looked at but not seen: |
| mind-body connection, enhance focus and | | | | Its name is formless. Listened to but not heard: |
| awareness, remove energy blocks, gain a sense | | | | Its name is soundless. Reached for but not |
| of calmness and well-being and lessen mood | | | | obtained: |
| swings. Tai Chi will also effectively treat chronic | | | | Its name is intangible. |
| conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia and | | | | |