| Taoist Philosophy | | | | balanced whole. |
| Toroots. | | | | The simplest exampleof this is breathing. We |
| The origins of Tai Chi go back over 5,000 years | | | | breathe in and we breathe out - an opposing |
| and are basedin Taoist philosophy developed and | | | | actionthat comes together to create balance and |
| refined by the great Taoist thinkers suchas, Tao | | | | harmony. Change and harmony, is thebasis of yin |
| Te Ching, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu. | | | | and yang and of Tai Chi. |
| The core concept of Taoismand Taoist philosophy | | | | The principles of yin and yangare reflected in the |
| is that everything in the universe is subject to | | | | form the sequence of movements that make up |
| changeand when dealing with this change we | | | | the Tai Chidiscipline. |
| should act not to fight it but work withit and | | | | The form is actually a sequence of movements |
| avoid conflict. | | | | that flow continuouslyrepresenting both change |
| The core Of Taoism is that action should | | | | and harmony. |
| alwaysbe effortless and come from spontaneous | | | | A movement begins, grows completesand |
| creativity, but this should not requiremental or | | | | empties then another begins until the sequence is |
| physical effort. | | | | completed. |
| According to Taoist philosophy change is | | | | The |
| constantbut, by understanding change and acting | | | | Tai Chi Philosophy |
| in accordance with the laws that governit, we can | | | | The aim of the Tai Chi form is to create streams |
| work effortlessly to achieve our aims. | | | | ofenergy to flow through the body. |
| Taoism is about workingwithin the laws of change, | | | | In the philosophy of Tai Chi, it issaid Chi (life |
| not struggling to oppose them, this is seen as | | | | energy) follows the mind; each posture and |
| futileand a waste of energy. | | | | movement creates adifferent energy flow, which, |
| In Tai Chi this manifests itself in that a posturewill | | | | has a beneficial overall affect on overall well-being. |
| always be difficult and a struggle, unless there is | | | | Tai |
| union of mind and body,to make the move an | | | | Chi stimulates circulation, aligns the skeleton and |
| effortless interaction. | | | | joints correctly, stimulatesthe organs of the body |
| Yin and Yang | | | | and helps digestion. |
| Anotherconcept in Chinese philosophy related to | | | | It increases muscle tone,strength, improves |
| change is yin and yang. | | | | balance and co ordination and improves breathing. |
| Thesetwo opposing, yet complimentary forces | | | | Tai |
| are constantly at work in the universeand in our | | | | Chi does not just provide physical benefits; by |
| lives. | | | | raising energy levels, it alsoaffects the mind and |
| Yin and yang are the basis of change but they | | | | the spirit. |
| alsocome together in harmony to create a | | | | |