Tai chi philosophy

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Thi-Chi


2ContentsIntroductionPhilosophyPhysiological FoundationHistoryMain Styles of Tai chiPrinciplesBenefitsIndicationsConceptForms of Tai Chi


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Tai Chi

Tension is who think you should beRelaxation is who you are - Tai Chi


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Introduction

Thi-chi is a form of exercises that recognizes the mind body connection.

The movements are graceful, the tempo is slow and benefits are great.

It is combination of movement, breathing and mental concentration to purify the essential life energies and transmit it through the eight body mind channels to every cell of the body.


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Philosophy

Ying

DarkFeminineSoftDeficiencyPassiveContracting

Yang

Light MasculineHard ExpandingPositiveActive Excess


6Thi-chi essentials, a form of movement is yang-the

white portion.

Meditation which involves quiet and rest, is yin-the black segment.

To perform tai chi exercise effectively requires inner peacefulness and quiet while executing outwardly visible movements.

The movements of thi chi tends to increses yang side of ying yang balance.


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When the yang reaches its peak of energy and vitality it generates to sit quietly- meditation-increses yin side-cycle continues-when yin reaches peak-yang increses-two opposite methods alternate-obtains benefits of tai chi..


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Physiological foundation

It is based on description of Chi or vital energy.

The body is hypothetically composed of eight energy channels and has 12 meridians that run along the surface of the body.

The eight energy channels include all parts of trunk and extremities.


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Eight Energy Channels

1. Tu mo or channel of control---- runs along the spinal column from the coccyx through the base of the skull and over the crown of the head to the roof of the mouth.

2. Jen mo or channel of functions---goes through the center and front of the body from the genital organs to the base of the mouth.

3. Tai mo or belt channel---circles the waist from the navel to the small of the back.

4. Ch’ueng mo or thrusting channel---passes through the center of the body between Tu mo and jen mo—extending from genitals to the base of heart.


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5.Yang yu wei mo is positive arm channel beginning at the navel, passing through the chest and going down the posterior aspect of the arms to the middle finger.

6.Yin yu wei mo is negative arm channel extends of the arms from the palms, ending in the chest.

7.Yang chiao mo is positive channel that goes down the sides of the body and down the outer aspect of the lower extremity, ending at the soles.

8.Yin chiao mo is negative channel starts from the soles and extends upwards on the inside of the legs through the center of the body to a point just below the eyebrows.


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Overview of Histroy

The origin of tai chi can’t be easily summarized. We don’t know who founded tai chi or in what year (or century) that occurred. Instead, there are three major theories about the origin of tai chi.


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Theory 1. Snake vs Crane.

Theory 2. A Mysterious Stranger Brings Tai Chi to the Chen Village. Theory 3. A Seasoned Chen Fighter Creates Tai Chi.


13Tai Chi for National Health in China.

Although disdainful of the religious aspects of tai

chi and also wanting to suppress the potential threat posed by skilled tai chi fighters, the Chinese government nevertheless embraced the health benefits of tai chi.

The government even created and promoted simple forms of tai chi. In 1956, the Chinese Sports Committee created the Beijing short form, probably the most popular form practiced today.


14Tai chi is now the national exercise of China.

With support from the government, tai chi has since moved out from the underground and into universities and government-supported sports and martial arts programs in China.

Tai Chi Today - Currently, there are over 200 million practitioners of tai chi throughout the world. From its roots in China, its popularity has spread to become a form of exercise appreciated around the globe for its health, stress control, and self defense benefits.


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Five main styles of Tai-Chi

Chen Style

Yang Style

Wu/Hao Style

Wu Style

Sun Style


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Yang style

Yang Style is perhaps the most common style.

The characteristics of Yang Style are slow, large, graceful movements that flow from one pose to the next, an upright posture, and a slight bend to the legs.

If properly taught, this is the easiest style to learn.


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Principle

1. Slowing down2. Take it easy3. Thinking in curves4. Be simple5. Sink lower6. Balance your movements7. Stay balance8. Move the whole package9. Go with the flow10. Stay rooted


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Slowing down This is the grand ultimate principle of T'ai Chi. The

stillness that comes with slowness is what T'ai Chi is all about. You get all the benefits of T'ai Chi only when you do it slowly.

Take it easy Forcing things is contrary to T'ai Chi principles.

Physical and mental stress make you tense and you get all the movements wrong.

Thinking in curves Movement in T'ai Chi is always curved and circular,

never straight and linear. This allows one movement to flow seamlessly to the next and promotes a better flow of your chi (energy).


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Be simple- Simplicity is the essence of T'ai Chi. A mind, which is

filled with dogmas, assertions, quotes, is really an uncreative mind. Live fully, live naturally. And be simple to your core.

Sink lower- Relaxed and slightly bent knees firmly ground you,

letting energy flow from the earth into your body. This also allows you to overpower your opponent by getting beneath his or her energy centre.

Balance your movements- Just as all things in the universe are reciprocal, T'ai

Chi is about balancing your moves- for example, forward and back, weight-bearing and non-weight bearing and reach and pull back. This is based on the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, in which all things are opposing yet complementary.


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Stay balanced- The importance of good balance cannot be

over-emphasised- be it T'ai Chi or real life. Both physically and mentally, good balance is essential to T'ai Chi.

Move the whole package-

In the practice of T'ai Chi, all parts of the body are linked together and every movement involves the whole body. When one part of the body moves, every part moves. When one part is still, every part is still.

Go with the flow-

In the practice of T'ai Chi, the movements are performed slowly and softly, yet there is an underlying strength; just as silk is both soft and strong. Move and think as if you are on wheels, with no jerky movements.


21 Stay rooted If there is no root, there is no fruit. Always feel that you are firmly planted in the ground. This applies not only to T'ai Chi, but to life.

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Benefits

1. Muscle Strength2. Enhance Flexibility

3. Balance4. Energy Levels

5. Concentration6. Enhance Organ Function

7. immunity against virus infection

8. tension headache


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9. Benefit patients with heart disease10. arthritis and back pain11.Prevent depression12. sleep13.Enhance the Functioning of the

Cardiovascular, Circulatory, Respiratory And Nervous Systems

14.Contribute To A Feeling Of General Wellbeing


25IndicationsRheumatoid ArthritisOsteoarthritisLow back ache

Vertigo Hepatitis Fibromyalgia Nervous disorders

Ankylosing spondylitis Anxiety Depression Hypertension

Asthma InsomniaMultiple sclerosisParkinson’s disease

• Chronic pain


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Core Concept

Breathing Alignment Energy


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Breathing : Diaphragmatic breathing

Alignment:a. Feet placed parallel, about shoulder-width

apart.b. Knees slightly bent, but not beyond the

toes.c. Pelvis tilted slightly forward and upward.d. Head lifted up as if supported by a string.e. Shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers

relaxed.f. Tip of tongue placed lightly on roof of

mouth, just behind front teeth.

Energy


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Physical settings for practicing

Time

Venue

Music


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Progress to Tai Chi

Warm up

Quigong

Tai Chi


30Warm up

Eye Crunches

Neck Bends

Shoulder Shrugs

Fingers

Wrists

Elbows and Shoulders

Shoulder Circles

Shoulder Stretches

Waist and Hips

Washing Machine

Waist Bends

Ankle Circles

Knee Bends


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Qigong

Qigong is the little sister of Tai-Chi.

Qigong is a series of movements that contains many of the T’ai Chi principles and most of the benefits of T’ai Chi practice.

You can perform Qigong standing, sitting down, even lying down.


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Form 1 Riding the Tide

Starting Position—Opening—Origin


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Form 2

Opening the Chest

(Gimme a Hug!)


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Form 3

Painting the Rainbow


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Steps:-


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Form 4Parting the Clouds


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Form 5Whirling Arms on Horseback

(Plate of Spaghetti)


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Form 6Rowing on the Lake


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Form 7Holding a Ball at Shoulder Level

(Scooping the Ice Cream)


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Form 8Gazing at the Moon Over the

Shoulder


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Form 9Press Palms Across the Body


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Form 10Wave Hands Like Clouds

(The Non-Attachment Exercise)


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Form 11Scoop the Sea and Look to the Sky

(Pick Up the Shells and Throw ’Em in the Air)


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Form 12Set the Waves Rolling (*Push the

Refrigerator)


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Form 13Dove Spreads Wings


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Form 14Punching From a Horseback Riding

Stance(Punch With Two Fists)


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Form 15Wild Goose in Flight


51Form 16Turning the Windmill


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Form 17Marching in Place While Bouncing the

Ball


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Form 18Press Palms and Calm Down (Closing)


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24 forms of thi-chi


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78THANK YOU

Education

Tai chi philosophy