T'ai Chi took birth at
Chenjiagou, a village inhabited by simple farming community and located on the
Yellow river in the peaceful countryside of northern China. T'ai chi has been
practised for about 400 years old, however its principles of action have been
developed over thousands of years.
T'ai Chi is considered a cultural treasure in China. T'ai Chi is the
culmination of martial arts, traditional chinese medicine and taoist philosophy
which is concerned with life on earth and works on the premise that the softest
things in the world over come the hardest things.
The continually spiralling, coiling, flowing movements, alternating between
slow and quick, gentle and firm, rising and sinking, contacting and expanding,
combined with natural deep breathing and full intention promote a sense of
relaxation of body and mind by releasing nervous tension and balancing the
circulation of internal energy or 'chi'.
T'ai Chi is the practice of mindfulness, being aware of the body in its
individual parts, as well as in its totality, observing which part is doing
what, and when. It helps you to find out how to slow down instead of always
going faster and harder. Slowing down means you experience and view things from
a place of calmness and serenity. Awareness creates well-being and
fulfilment.
SOME OF MASTER YANG'S ORAL TEACHINGS
summarised from Yang Family Secret Transmissions 1983 Sweet Chi Press, NY:
Relaxation:
"Relax! relax! Be calm. Release the whole body."
The simple word, 'relax' is the most difficult to achieve. All the rest follows
naturally. Relaxation requires the release of all the sinews in the body
without the slightest tension. This is what is known as making the waist so
pliant that all our movements appear boneless. To appear boneless means that
there are only sinews. Sinews have the capacity to be released. When this is
accomplished, there is no reason to not be relaxed.
Sinking:
When we are able to completely relax, this is sinking. When the sinews release,
then the body which they hold together is able to sink down. Fundamentally,
relaxation and sinking are the same thing. When one sinks, one will not float;
floating is an error. If the body is able to sink, this is already very good,
but we need to also sink the chi. Sinking the chi concentrates the spirit,
which is enormously helpful.
Distinguishing full and empty:
This is what T'ai chi chu'an classics mean by the body in its entirety has a
full and empty aspect. The right hand is connected in one line of energy with
the left foot, and likewise for the left hand and the right foot. If the right
hand and left foot are full then the right foot and the left hand are empty,
and vice versa. This is what is meant by clearly distinguishing full and empty.
The weight of the body should rest on just one foot. If the weight is divided
between two feet, this is double-weightedness. Only when full and empty are
distinguished will the movements become light and effortless.
Light and sensitive energy at the top of the head:
This means that the energy at the top of the head should be felt or imagined to
be light and sensitive, or the idea of "holding the head as if suspended
from above". The head must not incline to the side nor tilt up or down.
The vision is straight ahead, and sometimes follows the movements of the body.
Breathing should be light and easy, with the mouth lightly closed. All joints
of the arms should be completely relaxed, with shoulders sunken and elbows
down.
T'ai Chi is best practise in the morning upon waking, and at night before
sleeping. A light well ventilated room is ideal, avoid strong wind, dark and
damp places. Breathing should be light and easy, with the lips relaxed. Loose
fitting cotton clothes are most suitable with wide toed cotton shoes. If
sweating after T'ai Chi, avoid removing clothes, standing naked or washing with
cold water. |
