Tai Chi for the New Year

This morning I got a phone call from a student to reschedule his private tai chi lesson. He's done a lot of that lately, and when I said so he replied that it was a bit hard for him to afford the lessons just now. This particular student is well employed and earning strongly, in fact just the other day he regaled me with a list of electronic goodies he had bought for himself for Christmas, so the exchange got me thinking about the way so many of us spend time and money and the unspoken priorities such choices represent.

At a time when affording healthcare is a dicey proposition for many of us and the future seems more uncertain than ever, it's important to examine the investments we make, or don't make, and perhaps resolve to invest with greater consciousness in the New Year. If we take stock of where we invest our resources--our time, our money, our energy--it only makes sense that we would choose happiness and health over behavior that causes health problems we may not be able treat or leaves us empty and hollow wondering why we did this or bought that.

Financial investments may disappear in a puff of smoke these days, but those made in our health and happiness keep paying dividends no matter what the financial or political climate. Imagine how much sweeter life would be if we could keep our cool most of the time, if our moods rose and dipped with the ebb and flow of days but didn't soar with irrational exuberance only to crash and burn. Suppose we could appreciate the sublime in life but not get into the kind of trouble that leads to pain and suffering, that we could finally lose the weight we want to lose, finally get in the kind of shape we've wanted to be in, and as if that weren't enough, learn a new and different way of looking at the world--one that breaks all our old habits with little effort and crushes all our old traps like soda cans underfoot.

I'm talking about mind/body practice, of course, and the one I like best is tai chi. Think of tai chi as a kind of internal alchemy, a system founded on a set of guiding principles and deepened by a unique study of body mechanics and energy. This most exalted of the Chinese martial arts is interesting not so much for its self-defense properties, which flower only with long and disciplined practice, but for what it does for the body and spirit. Studies show tai chi can build strength, increase flexibility, boost energy, improve awareness, sensitivity and balance, diminish pain and stiffness, lower blood pressure, boost immunity (http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr2007/nia-06.htm), contribute to longevity, and offer us a healthier way of looking at conflict and challenge. It's ancient, it's wise, and it's a real gift. You can see what tai chi looks like, and learn more about its benefits at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbUhZp4hd3w

Tai chi was very nearly lost during China's so-called "Cultural Revolution" when the armies of Mao Tse Tung gelded, killed, or banished its masters. These days the art is practiced worldwide by people of all ages. In this country the New Age movement has done much to spread the word about this wonderful form of exercise, but rising popularity also means the authentic art is threatened with dilution. The original system was created by Chen Wang-ting (1597-1664), a 9th generation member of the Chen family and resident of a small village in the north of China. Chen constructed the system upon a tripod of Daoist thought, traditional Chinese medicine, and proven martial techniques, and the Chen family style still offers the greatest benefits, although it is also the most physically challenging of the different varieties of tai chi.

Daoists believe there is a benign underlying force or intelligence to the universe. They call this force Dao, which means The Way. In the Daoist view opposing forces, yin and yang act upon the world, and tai chi brings them into harmony. Examples of yin and yang include light and dark, male and female, up and down, day and night, hot and cold. The human body is ruled by this interplay, and movements contain both yin and yang elements. Tai chi so directly embodies this worldview that there may be no system of movement anywhere that more closely obeys a particular set of metaphysical rules. I like Daoist ideas so much I weave them into my novels, particularly The Cutting Season, The Crocodile and the Crane, and, forthcoming, Quiet Teacher.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) differs from Western medicine in significant ways. Broadly put, TCM costs less and has fewer side effects than its Western counterpart and may be less effective for certain acute health crises and more effective for other, chronic conditions. TCM sees the body in terms of systems rather than organs. In the TCM model the body is crisscrossed by meridians, channels through which a life force called qi flows like water through a garden hose. Practicing Tai Chi increases this energy, opens the hoses, and aligns them for maximum flow.

China has a long and illustrious martial tradition. Conceived by monks, doctors, scholars and warriors, numerous martial systems were derived from the movements of animals and the forces of nature. Early fighting techniques were tested in combat, and were lost if ineffective. The ones used in tai chi are many of the very best techniques to survive the ages, and what made those techniques martially effective also assures they build strength, immunity and vitality. Learn more about tai chi at http://www.playtaichi.com

A tai chi class is a wonderful experience. It's usually quiet, it affords you time to pay attention to your body and your thoughts, and it puts you in the company of people whose values support peace and health and longevity. Look for classes at local parks, community centers and health clubs. You may also find classes at martial arts schools, though most often these are given as a sideline to the school's primary offerings. The best way to know if you're getting authentic teaching (yes, it matters, the benefits will be much stronger it the teacher is properly trained) is to ask the teacher about her lineage. True teaching is handed down person to person in a very traditional fashion. A qualified instructor will be enthusiastic about her lineage. Evasiveness on the subject is a red flag.

Any reputable teacher will allow you to try a class, usually for free, though she may ask you to sign a liability waiver. If she won't at least let you watch, leave immediately. Be sure and talk to other students, too. Ask them what they're getting out of the class, how they feel about the material, the teacher, the schedule, the availability of deeper study, and whether they feel their questions are adequately answered. The atmosphere should be upbeat, positive--peaceful but enthusiastic.

Whether tai chi is right for you or whether you find yoga or one of the other offerings in the rich panoply of Asian martial arts more attractive, do consider an investment in a mind/body practice as a life-affirming resolution for the new year.

Comments

[billdouglas]

Great article!
If you'd like to learn Tai Chi or Chi Kung, you will find a FREE worldwide directory of Tai Chi and Qigong teachers at www.WorldTaiChiDay.org.
There are also a host of free tutorials to help you get the most from your Tai Chi practice.
Also, check out the free "Tai Chi Medical Research Library" for nearly 100 health issues Tai Chi may help with, and links to the original medical articles or studies.
If you know anyone dealing with "insomnia," "depression," "anxiety," or any of the other nearly 100 health challenges covered in the Medical Research Library at www.WorldTaiChiDay.org be sure to encourage them to check out the library themselves.

[Pearlswan]

HuffPost's Pick

The practice of Tai Chi saved my life. I started with just 5 minutes per day. It gave itself more time over the years. I didn't have to force it into my schedule like time at the gym. I took classes for about 6 months and couldn't afford to continue them. However, I continue to practice the early part of the form that I learned well and still remember. Any part of the form delivers health benefits, physical and psychic health. I never learned the fighting forms but I found myself in situations where I was able to get out of physical conflicts without injury because the Tai Chi took over my body without my conscious intent. It saved my life several times in this way. Tai Chi never stops paying dividends. You don't have to be an expert at it either. It accepts you wherever you are in its practice.

[KeepMeLearning]

I practice qi gong under a Chinese qi gong master who lives in Berlin but visits the U.S. regularly. Qi gong is a similar ancient Daoist practice of cultivating chi, but with fewer movements than tai chi. I have benefited tremendously from this practice, as have other students in our group--both here in and in Germany--and I can't imagine life without it.

[Jonahson]

Graceful and sublime, Tai Chi can also enhance the flow of 'Chi'.

I am a skeptic when it come to believing things. To me seeing and experiencing is a precursor to believing. Twenty years ago my father in law had lung cancer and doctors gave him nine months to live. I decided to look for alternative medicine when I saw an advert. on newspaper about an introductory seminar on the practice of 'Chi' . I attended the seminar. It was held in an air-conditioned room with about 40 participants young and old alike. A Chi Master introduced us to Chi and how to enhance the flow of Chi. After half an hour of explanation someone asked him to demonstrate his 'chi' to us. I still had no inkling what it was about. The Master mentioned that he will spread his Chi to us, each person may response differently when the Chi hits but do not fight it as it is good for our health. He request us to sit straight, stay calm and relax. He switched off the air conditioning, walking between two rows of participants he gently spread out his hands in a circular motion. When he was six feet away from me a tinkling sensation hit my face and it ran up my spine.
It was literally an electrifying and refreshing experience.
Tai Chi is practiced all over the world and is suitable for all ages. Check it out.

[OtayPanky]

Arthur Rosenfeld: Financial investments may disappear in a puff of smoke these days, but those made in our health and happiness keep paying dividends no matter what the financial or political climate.

===

Let's be honest here.

While making investments in our health and our happiness is a good idea, there's no guarantee that they'll keep paying dividends.

When it comes to our health, it's a certainty that eventually we're going to lose it ALL, no matter how much we invest, or for how long. Whatever else we are, our bodies are mechanical machines, and suffer from wear and tear just like any other machines do. All biological machines eventually rust and rot, so whatever you've invested in them will - in the end - come to nothing.

And investing in happiness - while certainly reasonable and even wise - is far from a sure bet. Anyone who's lost a child know what it is to have their entire stock of happiness disappear as quick as a Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.

Regardless of whether we're investing our money, our time or our energy - we need to be realistic in understanding that there is no way our investments can deliver up any sort of PERMANENT and GUARANTEED return...

Unless, of course, you're referring to some karmic return in an afterlife...but that's not the subject under consideration here.

[phoenix05]

OtayPanky, while there are no guarantees in life one can certainly take actions to mitigate existing and future perils. If I were to buy into your blog reply then why should anyone bother doing regular maintenance on their car. Regardless of how much oil or how many belts or fans or brake pads are replaced the car will still eventually die, so does that mean one shouldn't even bother maintaining the machine? I could take it a step further and ask if you go to the dentist? If so why bother? Your teeth will most likely fall out of your mouth one day if you live long enough.
I find your comparison of losing a child akin to losing stock in a "Ponzi" scheme abhorant and a slap in the face to anyone who has lost a child. IMHO your reply shows a clear lack of understanding in how "The Way" truly works. Perhaps one day you will have the priviledge to face true physical, emotional and/or psychological adversity and you will gain some enlightenment in this life. It would be a pity for you to leave this one with so much unlearned but if you do you might just have the opportunity to come back and learn the lesson on the next go round...like in some karmic return from the afterlife.
The Phoenix

[Jonahson]

Living is not guaranteed; dead is. So don't seek endless warranty instead look for an extended warranty period. Taichi can give you that.
In their quest for immortality, ancient Taoist priest in China develop harmony with nature. They locked themselves in solidarity confinement and meditated in hills to find an answer to immortality . They have a deep understanding of nature and the Cosmos.
Tachi is one of their many discovery to prolongs life, heals and prevent senility. Be one with nature.