http://www.positivehealth.com/article/chi-energy-martial-arts/tai-chi-s-nine-steps-to-a-healthy-life
Well I am not going to argue about the benefits of tai chi.........:-)
Well I am not going to argue about the benefits of tai chi.........:)
Do you practise it? I am spiritually focused but not tried it. I am pretty chilled/relaxed/centred so am wondering what benefits it might bring.
I teach it - at least I teach qigong tai chi which is the bit of tai chi that warriors use to keep themselves physically , mentally and spiritually well. I practice it every day
Do you practise it? I am spiritually focused but not tried it. I am pretty chilled/relaxed/centred so am wondering what benefits it might bring.
It will improve your physical health in many ways. It will also help your spiritual aims complementing your other practices. 🙂
Do you practise it? I am spiritually focused but not tried it. I am pretty chilled/relaxed/centred so am wondering what benefits it might bring.
It was Tai Chi that introduced me to Chi/Ki energy, which led me to ReiKi and all the other therapies I've studied.
It was Tai Chi that introduced me to Chi/Ki energy, which led me to ReiKi and all the other therapies I've studied.
For me it was the other way around. My knowledge or reiki made qigong easy to understand. BTW Did you know the chi bit of Tai chi does NOT mean energy? Its actually a contraction of 'Taji Chuan' which translates as 'Ultimate Fist'
Translations of Chinese and Japanese Kanji is a tricky business because there is no direct translation between those and English. Whilst the overall meaning of Tai Chi/Taji can be interpreted (better phrase than "translated") in one way, the Chi kanji character itself is interepreted in it's own way (or differently when used with other characters), and in some cases the kanji itself is drawn differently.
So, in Tai Chi the Chi isn't representing energy per se, but it is integral with the Tai kanji to give us the different meaning. However Chi energy does play an integral part in Tai Chi as a practice, along with Chi Kung (Qigong).
We've also got the cultural differences that Tai Chi is referring to the Chinese language and Reiki is referring to the Japanese language, and both are western phonetical translations/or historical corruptions of the kanji from those languages.
Interesting link about it: http://molingtaiji.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-%E5%A4%AA%E6%9E%81%E6%8B%B3-taiji-quan-aka-tai-chi-chuan/
I used to go to a tai chi class twice a week for a couple of years before we got dogs. Have to walk them in the mornings now instead 🙂
Would love to get back into it one day as I found it really interesting. Kind of like a moving meditation with energy flowing all over your body! There are no classes at suitable times near me so I was thinking of getting a dvd or following a youtube channel. I know it wouldn't be as good but it would be better than nothing. Any suggestions? It was Chen style.
Bill Douglas' "Anthology of Tai Chi and Qigong" is a good 4 hour DVD, though not easily got from Amazon type places nowadays. I see it's available for a reasonable price on (what I think is) his website: http://www.smartaichi.com/WTCQDDVDBookVidLstg.html
However it's not specifically Chen style if I recall correctly.
Many others I've seen are more like exercise videos, but if you like that sort of style then David Carradine's "Mind and Body Workout" is a good set, and includes Tai Chi and Qigong ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Carradine-Complete-Mind-Workout/dp/B002MGJT2U )
Out of the ones that say they are Chen style, I've seen so many variants it does make you wonder sometimes which is genuine Chen style and which aren't. I've seen some good ones and some bad ones.
Thanks Giles I will have a look at those. I've just found the exact one I used to do, the 18 form. Brings back memories...
Thanks Giles I will have a look at those. I've just found the exact one I used to do, the 18 form. Brings back memories...
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Can you recall what you gained from doing the 18 form? I would be interested to know what difference it can make.
Well it's the only one I have done before. It certainly energised me when I left the class I felt like I was walking on springs 🙂 and it was great to feel the energy in my hands in a tangible way for the first time. It was a few years ago mind, I would like to try it again now that I work with reiki.
Well it's the only one I have done before. It certainly energised me when I left the class I felt like I was walking on springs 🙂 and it was great to feel the energy in my hands in a tangible way for the first time. It was a few years ago mind, I would like to try it again now that I work with reiki.
When I first started doing tai chi it really helped my reiki 🙂