The wise words of Lao Tsu

*This too will pass * When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be * When you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to * Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Taijiquan (Tai Chi)

I have to admit I love sports, all sports. I love to participate in them, I love to relax and watch them on T.V and I love to go to the venues and watch them live. There isn't many sports that I don't enjoy and If I'm not participating I almost find it like a form of meditation to sit and watch, I get so drawn into whats happening, it's hard for the mind to ruminate on much else. I also practice meditation each day, but it has never actually occurred to me to combine the two in the form of Taijiquan (what we also know as Tai Chi). Recently after seeing an advertisement for a beginners "Tai Chi" class I went along to give it a try. WOW...It's difficult. I can see why it is said to be a form of meditation, you have to utilise your mind fully to remember the moves and then there is the physical aspect. It really works out the muscles and apparently massages the internal organs at the same time. All this while getting your life energy (Qi or Chi energy) flowing. Quite amazing really !
I should point out that there are different forms of Tai Chi, none of which my moves yet seem to resemble, but I have linked the title of this post to a Taijiquan page with some really interesting information and some great video footage of some experts showing how it's done. Personally I love the Taijiquan demonstrated by Su Renfeng which I have added here for your viewing pleasure. "So graceful".


2 comments:

KaTat said...

It sounds very interesting. Tonight I have just attended a Wushu(Kongfu) club, it is also very fancy. I can learn a lot of things from it, especially for practising flexibility of body. It looks like I need to take more than one year to really get involved in it. I think Taijiquan also requires a long time to master, right? But anyway I will keep on it, as I see there are various benefits I could make from it.

Unknown said...

That sounds cool Katat! I just had Taijiquan tonight also. I am really enjoying it and YES, I think it will take a long time to get really good with it. Something that looks so easy is actually very difficult and I can feel it working muscles and ligaments etc all the way to (literally) the tips of my fingers. It's very impressive.