Meditation
How to come naturally to the experience of meditation. Meditation is the process of conscious, controlled focus of the mind which may take place when the thinking processes, both in pictures and [...]
A day of Practice
To enjoy life, you need to practise! Developed according to theory, thought, philosophy, science, mathematics and the laws of nature, the joy of practising t’ai chi is being able to suddenly unlock a secret. [...]
Practice what you become
It is like painting a canvas of oneself: if one practises on becoming healthy, one will become healthy; if one practises on letting go of tension and being relaxed, one will become softer; if one [...]
Health at 60
Many conditions that would be restricted in most exercises can actually be improved by practising t’ai chi. Health is much more than the absence of illness. It is a positive, harmonious state of vitality, a [...]
On Hands
Often, the beginner will first feel a sensation, an internal energy, in the hands and fingers. The hands are the expression of our qi in The Form, acting similarly to a barometer. For the correct [...]
On Flow
The art of t’ai chi is often described as a flowing river; the fluidity, power, adaptability and softness in water are all qualities we try to emulate when practising t’ai chi. Flow is continuity without [...]
Awareness
Before we can engage with the world around us, we first need to know that it is there. Most of us are aware that our senses filter, interpret and censor our experience, boiling it down [...]
Yin & Yang
T’ai chi is represented by the ubiquitous symbol, a circle divided into two curved shapes of equal size, one being yin, the shadowed dark part (Earth), the other yang, the light part [...]
Taoism
The internal inspiration and insight of t’ai chi are found in the spiritual practices of Taoism that has been integral to the philosophy and culture of China for thousands of years. According to this perspective, [...]
I Ching
The I Ching (‘I’ signifying change or clarity, and ‘Ching’ a book written by a sage) or The Book of Change, the principle text of Taoism,[1] may be the oldest book on [...]
The history of t’ai chi
Like Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, the true origins of T’ai Chi Chuan dates back to a time before written history. Cave paintings in China show exercises similar to t’ai chi known as ‘Tao Yin’ [...]
What is Qigong or Chi Kung
Qi = life force, vitality gong= practise, cultivate, refine Qigong = internal energy work Qigong (also known as Chi Kung or Chi Gong) is one of the oldest exercises in Chinese history. [...]
What is qi
You will find much debate on the subject of Qi (pronounced chee) in books, magazines and on the web. The qi we are born with is called pre-natal qi; after birth we begin to consume [...]