2008 World Taichi & Qigong Day in San Antonio

To westerns, Taichi exercise is just a flowing dance; it is slow and it seems endless.

April 26, World Taichi & Qigong Day in San Antonio, 80 people had an opportunity to participate and learn what this exercise is about. Sponsored by S.A Taichitoday, Taichi Health Dynamics, S.A Chen Style Taichi Association, BodyMind Centered Therapies, and Matt & Greg Wing Tsun School, the event provided people with much more understandings and flavors.

After practiced together for the first 20 min, each school presented their various styles and forms: Chen short form, Chen old 1st frame, Yang traditional form, Yang short form, Chen Lao Jia Yi Lu, Yang taichi sword, Wu taichi sword, Din bu push hands, free form push hands, Da Lui push hands, Fa Jin… “it opened my mind, I did not know there are so many different ways to practice, and it can be so competitive” said Elma.

It has been proven that Taichi practice has following benefits: Release stress, strengthen Immune system, increase breathing and circulation, gently improve cardio health, lower blood pressure, improve physical alignment, relieve arthritis pain, reduce muscle and back pain, renew sexual vigor and interest, helps alleviate MS and asthma, rehabilitate old and new injuries, increase core strength and balance, gain new flexibility and coordination, restore youthful exuberance.

“Our goal is to promote this Chinese Treasure, to lead them into the door, so people from all age can benefit from it, and we want to share it with everyone and tell people ‘yes’ you can do it”, Xie Ming said, a Taichi instructor.

Most commonly asked questions and answers

About Teacher

Instructor Xie Ming has over 25 years Taichi teaching experience in China and United States.


What skill level is this for?
The class is designed for beginners and intermediate students, and it is for anyone who is seeking a gentle sport to regain his/her capabilities. It is to introduce someone into TaiChi's amazing power. The class addresses great deal in internal development and Qi Gong which a lot of schools in now days rarely mention.

How long can I see the result?
The key is the persistence, it takes at least 1 month to see any result, and that is non stop, practice everyday regardless if you know the complete form or just a few forms. Only relying on 4 times a week will not make you batter quick. You have to commit about 30 min at minimum each day for practicing. Most of student sees the result in 3 months program.

How long can I sign up for (one class, one month, etc?)
For first time, you can sign up just for a month to see if you like it or not, then sign up for a 3 month program, and later sign up for 6 months or 12 months program to enjoy our special discount.

How long and how often is the class?
The class is 1 hour long, and it occurs once a week.

Can I come to observe the class without sign up?
Yes, you can come to join us for free for your first visit, (you still need to pay Botanical Garden admission)

What do I wear?
Wear comfortable, loose clothing. You may practice in appropriate exercise shoes, or in bare feet, or cut-off socks (cut the toes off for grip). Please do not wear perfume, cologne or noisy jewelry.

Is TaiChi just for old or sick people?

Not at all. TaiChi is developed as a martial art, it has very soft look, but not soft result. Today most people want to learn it because of health healing power, however, the training can pave you the entrance into Internal Art which is focusing on the internal strength that ultimately generates incredible fighting power and technique.

I have done no exercise for many years, is it safe for me to do Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is one of the safest forms of exercise - it is even prescribed for heart patients in America. However, having said that, the responsibility lies upon each individual to check with his health care practitioner before engaging in any new exercise.


I have terrible coordination and balance, can I learn Taichi?
In the beginning most people struggle with the movements of the Tai Chi form - our brains have to learn again how to properly control their bodies. This is a very common phenomenon, in our modern technological society, where almost all our activity is purely mental - reintegrating body and mind through Tai Chi is one of the best ways to restore our proper human functioning.

Saturday Taichi Class at Botanical Garden, San Antonio

Introduction of Taichi

Taichi, Taichi Chuan, or Tai Ji Chuan is an unique physical exercise that benefits people of all ages. This uniqueness is reflected through: a. slow and graceful movements (from an external view), b. combined meditation in motion (from an internal view), c. provides remarkable relaxation and healing effects, d. can produce incredible fighting power.

It is a proven sport that strengthens the legs while conditioning the tendons and ligaments of the ankles, knees, and hips, increasing their range of motion and making them more resilient, less prone to injury. The constant weight shifts train balance and body awareness, leading to confident ease of movement within the form and in everyday life. Tai Chi is a physical exercise that focuses the mind, while conditioning the body. Practicing twenty minutes a day dissipates stress and reduces stress-related debilities, increases stamina, and strengthens the body and will.

Taichi exercise provides cardiovascular benefits to the body. After practicing Taichi, instead of feeling exhaustion you will feel a rejuvenation of energy. The Taichi exercise is a self-tuning process that empowers your own mind and body to improve your health conditions.
The study has already shown the great evidences that consistent Tai Chi practice is very effective to lower blood pressure, increase bone density, increase heart-lung capacity, lessen arthritis, Diabetes, and reduce back pain.

Taichi is also an ancient philosophy that has been around in China for thousands of years. It represents the Ying and Yang concept which stating everything is in endless changing. A concept that is the foundation of Taoism.

In today’s fast-paced society, many are pursuing ways to regain the qualities of life. Purifying the mind, slowing the aging process, and happiness are becoming very important aspects to each individual. Taichi Chuan has been a proven tool to help you to reach these goals.

New readings in 2008

The article provides considerable research in comparing the styles from different taichi lineage.

3. Part Wild Horse's Mane 野马分鬃

1. Taking back the left foot and Holding a ball
With torso turning slightly to right and weight shifted to right leg, raise right hand until forearm reaches horizontally in front of right part of chest, while left hand moves in a downward curve until it comes under right hand, palms facing each other like holding a ball.

Loose the wrist and drop the elbow. Taking left foot back and holding the ball, the focus goes from left foot to left knee, left hip joint, Low Dan Tian, then Zhong Dan Tian, raising and accumulating the energy.

2. Bow Step and split the arms
Turn body to the left as left foot takes a step towards, bending knee and shifting weight onto left leg, while right leg straightens with whole foot on floor for a left 'Bow Stance'. As turning body raise left hand to eye level with palm facing obliquely up and elbow slightly bent, and lower right and to the side of right hip with palm facing down and fingers pointing forward. The focus is at left hand. The spirit goes from shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand (outside of thumb)

3. Sit back slowly, like take a seat and shift weight onto right leg, raising toes of left foot slightly and turning them outward before placing whole foot on floor. Then bend left leg and turn body to the left, shifting weight onto left leg and making a hold-ball gesture in front of left part of chest, left and on top. Then move right foot to the side of left foot, toes on the floor. The focus is at left hand.

Loose the wrist and drop the elbow. Make taking right foot back and holding the ball the focus goes from right foot to right knee, to right hip joint, to Low Dan Tian, to Zhong Dan Tian, raising and accumulating the energy.

4. Take a right bow stance by moving right foot a step toward left side, straightening left leg with whole foot on floor and bending right leg at knee. At the same time, with body turning slightly to the right, gradually raise right hand to eye level with palm facing obliquely upward and elbow slightly bent, and press left and down to the side of left hip, palm down. The focus is at right hand. The spirit goes from shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand (outside of thumb)

Point to remember: Hold the body erect and keep chest relaxed. Move arms in a curve without stretching them when you separate hands. Use waist as the axis in body turns. The movements in taking a bow stance and separating hands must be smooth and synchronized in tempo. When taking a bow stance, place front foot slowly in position, heel coming down first. The knee of front leg should not go beyond toes while rear leg should be straightened, forming and angle of 45 degrees with ground. There should be a transverse distance of 1 or 2 fists.

2 TaiChi Starting Form 太极起式

Starting form
Starting form is the beginning of the Taich form, it sets the speed, the height and the spirit for the whole practice. Starting form is born from Wuji standing post, it is designed to improve the harmonies among sprit movement, qi movement, and body movement.

Regardless practicing Taichi complete form or single set, always go through Wuji post and Starting form in order to reach the smooth even breathing, concentration, as well whole body relaxation. If the beginner have difficult to reach this state, he should repeatedly perform Wuji post and Starting form until comfortably relaxed.

The detail moves and spirit
Wuji post does not have any physical move or outer move, but Starting form and other forms after preparation are all have body moves that are led by the spirit. So, from this form forward, the body move and sprit must be mentioned at the same time.

Qi here is not your breathing, it is inner Qi – energy inside of your body. Move the qi with the spirit is called Moving Qi. Breathing includes inspiration and expiration. In Chinse, ‘Xi’ is equivalent to ‘Breathing’, one inhale and one exhale is one Xi.

Starting form is the continuation of Wuji preparation, it has two moves:
Lift hands and push palms down.

(1) Lift hands
Two palms face to back, naturally drop the fingers, relax the wrists and hands, while inhale slowly lift the two hands forward and palm face down until to shoulder height.
Pay attention to your feeling about Qi, Once it reaches the height, exhale and straightening your palm to point the fingers to the front.

(2) Push palms down
2nd inhale, your spirit is at your: Finger – Palm – Wrist - Elbow – Shoulder, end of inhale.
Exhale, spirit from shoulder to chest; push two palms downward slowly with keening down move, spirit from chest to Dan Tian region. At the end of exhale, two palms are at about the waist height, palm face down, sink the wrist, fingers point to the front. Spirit focus to Dan Tian. The body is alert, relaxed, use the spirit to lead the move, no force should be applied, one part moves, every part moves, inside and outside are connected.

Key tips:
Connection between inside and outside means open and close matches breathing inhale and exhale.

Push palms down, knee down should be done at the same time. Beginners should practice 1, and 2 repeatedly. During this practice (more than 20 times), most students will feel early stage of Qi.

Do it slowly, once exhale starts, pushing palm down and bending the knee, continue until palms reach to your height of waist and that is your end of exhale too.

Use your sprit to lead the move. Elbow should drop, no force up, shoulder is complete relaxed.

Your speed is controlled by the speed of breathing, so make that nature, do not stretch it to the level you don’t feel comfortable, with your practice, the breathing will improve.

Beginners do not need to too focus on the connection of Breathing and moves, with long time practice, it will come. To enforce it, will harm your body!

1. Key for TaiChi Commencing 太极预备式和无极桩 Postion

Entering WUJI or WuChi: In Chinese, ‘Wu’ means Nothing, ‘Tai’ means Extreme.
WUJI is preparation state of entering TAIJI or TaiChi.

In TaiChi practice, the commencing position actually has two parts:

Wuji meditation and Starting TaiChi. Wuji meditation has 4 focuses: Standing in right position, empting mind, adjusting breath, relaxing the whole body. Wuji meditation can be practiced alone, and it can be done as long as you like.

The last focus relaxing is a form of your body, but the other 3 actually are much more tie to your mind.

How to do it:
(1) Stand straight
Two feet parallel, with a fist distance in between. Two arms drop naturally with slight curve, and the palm toward back, hangs naturally in the thigh side. .

(2) Step to left
Take your vision back. Relaxes the knee joint, the center of body
gravity falls on the right leg. Then lift left leg and take a step to left, step over slowly and steadily. Tip of the toes to front, two feet parallel, is separated with a foot distance. The physique posture should achieve "sets up in the body, without bias and without favor".

Spirit:
(3) Adjust the breath
Maintain the posture. Adjust your breathing, and make the breath nature, even.
When the skill improved, your breath will become deeper, longer, more even, and is unified. After the breath becomes smooth, keep your physique posture unchanged, and go into the next step:

(4) Centralize your thought
Soon the attention concentrates on to your body. When inhale, pay your attention to the place you left focus from last time, started from chest (Tan Zhong region), when exhale, your thought is going from chest to abdomen median line downward until to your dan tian region. Repeat 3 ~ 5 breathes (In Chinese Medicinal Theory, Qi moves about 3 inches with each breathing!). Then maintains the attention at the Dan Tian region, this is called hold the spirit to Dan Tian. The student should try to feel the subtle changes on the Dan Tian, and stay as long he can maintain.

(5) Relaxes along with the breathing
Namely along with the breath bodily each (including muscles, skeleton, all joints, all internal organs, lips and teeth, vision, and facial expression) relaxes. (Hereafter refers to as intention). Use your spirit to direct, relax the body along with the expiration
from top to bottom, at the same time experiences the feeling of relaxation. (do not relaxes with inspirations). This is posture is also called WUJI Zhuang (Posture). Keep in mind, relax all joints!!!

Once you can experience the relaxations from each part of your body, you can begin your TaiChi form practice. Students should always try to reach to this state before each TaiChi form practice, this process is just like pulling out your radio antenna and turning on the power of the radio, then you are ready to receive the signal – Energy.

Tips:
Hold the nature facial expressions, lightly shuts the mouth, the tooth
touches slightly, the tongue goes against roof of your mouth (this
promotes the saliva fluids) and then swallows slowly as necessary).

0. 练太极应放松何处 9 major jonts to relax in TaiChi

Some questions to my dear friends, we all know or heard that the key to the sucess of taichi practice is 'Relax' - Song (in Chinese), what are the key joints we have to pay attention and Relax them each time?

9 Joints: Foot, Ankle, Knee, Hip, Waist, Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand. There are designed moves to help relax those joints. The questions are how? and Why?