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Tai Chi Chuan The lives we lead are, in most cases fragmented.  That is, our talents are specially trained as separate entities, each of which finds little use in any of our other areas of expression. These fragments divide us into separate worlds, pulling us in many completely unrelated directions. Tai Chi Chuan is often regarded (because of our conditioning) as another fragmented part connected to an inharmonious whole, which we describe as our "circle" or "world."  The truth is this:  Tai Chi Chuan is about integrating the body, mind, and spirit. Reuniting our parts. People are drawn to Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi for short) for many and varied reasons.  In my case, it was the need to find an exercise to cure my failing back; to someone else it might be the aesthetic quality of dance that draws her to this art.  To a third, Tai Chi may be a way to improve his skill in the martial arts; to another, it might be its ability to still the mind or to encompass the whole of Chinese thought in a single action.  At any time, and for any of these reasons and more, during the persistent practice of Tai Chi Chuan we can taste the feeling of potential integration within ourselves.  This is a clue to what a whole life can be. Tai Chi Chuan stimulates the electromagnetic energy (life force) in one's body, which can become blocked or fatigued.  This force is referred to as chi (also Qi) and is the same energy known in Japan as "ki", and in India as "prana."  Stimulation through Tai Chi practice (or acupressure) removes blockages of the chi in part by diffusing lactic acid and carbon monoxide accumulations in muscle tissue. These accumulations, or blockages cause stagnation of blood and rigidity of the body. Stiffness creates unhealthy pressure on nerves, blood, lymphatic and synovial fluids.  In turn, the functioning of the skeletal system and internal organs are also adversely affected. The flow of chi in the body becomes obstructed as a result of internal (e.g. emotional) or external (e.g. trauma) disturbances, climactic changes, or imbalances in diet or lifestyle.  If the circulation of this vital force becomes deficient, illness may arise.  It is only when the pathways within your body are unobstructed, that the chi may flow freely and the body's life force balanced. Only then will we achieve an optimal state of health and well-being. Those who truly know the nature of existence Push nothing to excess Because they do not push things to excess They satisfy their needs again and again, Yet exhaust nothing.          -Lao Tzu, from his Tao Teh King Would I benefit from Tai Chi? HOME   page created with Webpage Designer (NS)