Taoism & Tai Chi

“Yield and Overcome; Bend and be straight. And who stands of tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace.” -What do you think this means? “Yield and Overcome; Bend and be straight. And who stands of tiptoe is not steady. He who strides cannot maintain the pace.” -What do you think this means?

Language Transliteration Practice  T’ai = T  Tao = D  Ch’ing = Ch  Chou = J(oe) T’ai Ch’i Ch’uang Tao Te Ching Lao Tse (Tsu, Tzu, Tzi)  T’ai = T  Tao = D  Ch’ing = Ch  Chou = J(oe) T’ai Ch’i Ch’uang Tao Te Ching Lao Tse (Tsu, Tzu, Tzi)

Who was Lao Tzu?  Sifu: The Old Master  Founder of Tao?  Is he real?  Tao Te Ching (read/ practiced in a half hour or a life time)  Chaung Tzu spread the philosophy 300 years later  Tao is central to Chinese thinking  Sifu: The Old Master  Founder of Tao?  Is he real?  Tao Te Ching (read/ practiced in a half hour or a life time)  Chaung Tzu spread the philosophy 300 years later  Tao is central to Chinese thinking

What is TAO?  The meaning of Tao: The Way  The Tao or the way: A simple guide to a practical life  The driving power of all nature  The mystery of all mysteries  When Tao acquires all the power, existence begins spontaneously from which everything flows (being from non-being)  There is a boundless tide of Tao  The Eternal that cannot be named: The unknowable source of all being: The origin of the universe is nothingness (non-being)  Mother of all things that can be named (manifestation of the limitless Tao or being that continues and continues)  ABSTRACT! I KNOW!  Maybe think of it as the nothingness of the universe where a big bang happens and everything then comes from that nothingness  The meaning of Tao: The Way  The Tao or the way: A simple guide to a practical life  The driving power of all nature  The mystery of all mysteries  When Tao acquires all the power, existence begins spontaneously from which everything flows (being from non-being)  There is a boundless tide of Tao  The Eternal that cannot be named: The unknowable source of all being: The origin of the universe is nothingness (non-being)  Mother of all things that can be named (manifestation of the limitless Tao or being that continues and continues)  ABSTRACT! I KNOW!  Maybe think of it as the nothingness of the universe where a big bang happens and everything then comes from that nothingness

 The Taoists sought to understand reality and how we are a part of it and exist under its natural laws.  The Taoists explained that before the universe came into existence, everything (nothing?) was in a state of “wu chi.”  “Wu chi” 無極 means “no polarity.” In essence, it is the nameless, incomprehensible state of void or nothingness.  If there is nothing, then no differentiation can exist. It’s somewhat the non-existence of nothingness… space… void…  The Taoists sought to understand reality and how we are a part of it and exist under its natural laws.  The Taoists explained that before the universe came into existence, everything (nothing?) was in a state of “wu chi.”  “Wu chi” 無極 means “no polarity.” In essence, it is the nameless, incomprehensible state of void or nothingness.  If there is nothing, then no differentiation can exist. It’s somewhat the non-existence of nothingness… space… void…

 When there was a “change” in the state of wu chi, then there was a differentiation – the original wu chi part, and, the changing part.  That state of differentiation is a phase called “tai chi.”  It literally means “great polarity.” The opposite poles of this polarity are referred to as yin and yang.  Just like plus and minus, each complementary exists because of the existence of the other.  The Taoists say that the yin and yang (born from the state of tai chi) give rise to all things and processes in the universe.  When there was a “change” in the state of wu chi, then there was a differentiation – the original wu chi part, and, the changing part.  That state of differentiation is a phase called “tai chi.”  It literally means “great polarity.” The opposite poles of this polarity are referred to as yin and yang.  Just like plus and minus, each complementary exists because of the existence of the other.  The Taoists say that the yin and yang (born from the state of tai chi) give rise to all things and processes in the universe.

Taoist Principles  Focus on nature (everything in accordance with nature)  Yin yang-The dynamics by which nature works (more on this later)  Interconnectedness/Inter-consuming supporting relationship of all things as seen in nature  All phenomena are not isolated, developing and changing and you cannot know one thing without knowing its interdependence of its opposition  Example: Space/Cup/Door or Ceiling/walls and room  Tao is Tzu Jan-left alone it can reproduce  Tao is Self So  Tao operates of itself…just is  Nature is an example of the Tao for nothing is standing over it making it work:  Like our bodies in nature: Heart, Breath, Thinking, Winking, SELF SO  Wu Wei-No Striving-No plan-DO WITHOUT DOING!  Nature does without doing/ Do nothingness/Do without doing  Non obstructive/Ending Illusions/Ending conflict/conscious mind must relax/no emotion wasted  Taking advantage of the empty spaces and moving through them  Water/Wind are great metaphores  Water takes any shape, penetrates and moulds: what is tough may not be strong/ what is soft is strong: Grass stronger than wind? Land or water stronger?  Act without strain, persuades without argument, without coercion  Focus on nature (everything in accordance with nature)  Yin yang-The dynamics by which nature works (more on this later)  Interconnectedness/Inter-consuming supporting relationship of all things as seen in nature  All phenomena are not isolated, developing and changing and you cannot know one thing without knowing its interdependence of its opposition  Example: Space/Cup/Door or Ceiling/walls and room  Tao is Tzu Jan-left alone it can reproduce  Tao is Self So  Tao operates of itself…just is  Nature is an example of the Tao for nothing is standing over it making it work:  Like our bodies in nature: Heart, Breath, Thinking, Winking, SELF SO  Wu Wei-No Striving-No plan-DO WITHOUT DOING!  Nature does without doing/ Do nothingness/Do without doing  Non obstructive/Ending Illusions/Ending conflict/conscious mind must relax/no emotion wasted  Taking advantage of the empty spaces and moving through them  Water/Wind are great metaphores  Water takes any shape, penetrates and moulds: what is tough may not be strong/ what is soft is strong: Grass stronger than wind? Land or water stronger?  Act without strain, persuades without argument, without coercion

History of T ’ ai Chi  Founder of T’ai Chi was the monk of the Wu Tang Monastery Chang San-feng (date 14th century)  Creator of the fundamental postures for T’ai Chi in accordance with the theories of Lao Tzu  Founder of T’ai Chi was the monk of the Wu Tang Monastery Chang San-feng (date 14th century)  Creator of the fundamental postures for T’ai Chi in accordance with the theories of Lao Tzu

Meaning of Chi  Natural energy of the universe  Natural=Spiritual/supernatural but not a belief system  Restoration of equilibrium or Yin and Yang: Complimentary and not opposite!  One with nature (Movements come from watching animals and other natural things)  NOTE: Chi has many meanings, including “the breath of God”, vital breath, viability, life energy…  Natural energy of the universe  Natural=Spiritual/supernatural but not a belief system  Restoration of equilibrium or Yin and Yang: Complimentary and not opposite!  One with nature (Movements come from watching animals and other natural things)  NOTE: Chi has many meanings, including “the breath of God”, vital breath, viability, life energy…

 “Tai chi chuan” – referred to as “tai chi” – is a deep, meditative, internal Chinese practice.  “Tai chi” is a term from Taoist philosophy. Taoism is the ancient spiritual, nature-based philosophy native to China.  At its original core, it is a martial art, but is nowadays commonly practiced and taught in a manner that strengthens and promotes the mind/body health of dedicated practitioners.  Several millions practice it daily around the globe  “Tai chi chuan” – referred to as “tai chi” – is a deep, meditative, internal Chinese practice.  “Tai chi” is a term from Taoist philosophy. Taoism is the ancient spiritual, nature-based philosophy native to China.  At its original core, it is a martial art, but is nowadays commonly practiced and taught in a manner that strengthens and promotes the mind/body health of dedicated practitioners.  Several millions practice it daily around the globe What is Tai Chi?

Forms of T ’ ai Chi  There are 3 main types of T’ai Chi  Yang, Wu & Chen (different families)  They use slow and still movements that are accompanied by easy breathing  There are many more (12 more styles and hybrids)  Martial arts derive from T’ai Chi  There are 3 main types of T’ai Chi  Yang, Wu & Chen (different families)  They use slow and still movements that are accompanied by easy breathing  There are many more (12 more styles and hybrids)  Martial arts derive from T’ai Chi

The 13 principles of T ’ ai Chi 1. Sinking of shoulders and dropping of elbows (not muscles but bones)-creating a slow moving torque through your body 2. Relaxing of chest and rounding of back 3. Sinking chi down to Dan Tien-sea of chi…floating and long-lasting 4. Lightly pointing up the head: stay upright 5. Relaxation of waist and hip: keep pelvic bowl balanced 6. Differentiate between empty and full: yin and yang 7. Coordination of upper and lower parts of the body 8. Using the mind instead of force 9. Harmony between internal and external 10. Connecting the mind and the chi energy 11. Find stillness within movement 12. Movement and stillness present at once 13. Continuity and Evenness throughout the form 1. Sinking of shoulders and dropping of elbows (not muscles but bones)-creating a slow moving torque through your body 2. Relaxing of chest and rounding of back 3. Sinking chi down to Dan Tien-sea of chi…floating and long-lasting 4. Lightly pointing up the head: stay upright 5. Relaxation of waist and hip: keep pelvic bowl balanced 6. Differentiate between empty and full: yin and yang 7. Coordination of upper and lower parts of the body 8. Using the mind instead of force 9. Harmony between internal and external 10. Connecting the mind and the chi energy 11. Find stillness within movement 12. Movement and stillness present at once 13. Continuity and Evenness throughout the form

Preparation for T ’ ai Chi  Relaxation-Relax every part of your body-inside and out  Breathing-Breathe smoothly and regularly  Posture- Keep your torso upright but relaxed and look straight ahead. Don't lean to one side, bend forward or back, or look down. It is also important not to over extend your limbs or clench your hands into tight fists. Tai Chi is a natural art that requires no excessive force. Keep in mind that this exercise is slow and calm. You do not need to forcefully push, punch, or kick.  Pace- Slow and relaxed movements = Stress Relief and Self Discipline!  Relaxation-Relax every part of your body-inside and out  Breathing-Breathe smoothly and regularly  Posture- Keep your torso upright but relaxed and look straight ahead. Don't lean to one side, bend forward or back, or look down. It is also important not to over extend your limbs or clench your hands into tight fists. Tai Chi is a natural art that requires no excessive force. Keep in mind that this exercise is slow and calm. You do not need to forcefully push, punch, or kick.  Pace- Slow and relaxed movements = Stress Relief and Self Discipline!

Doing Tai Chi Outside  Everyone must participate!  Walk outside in a completely silent respectable manner, single file line  Keep body loose and breathe  After being outside follow Sifu (Master Jacobs)  Make 5 EVEN rows of 5-8 people  No talking please  Listen with intent to Sifu instructions  Do not rush…one form at a time  Walk inside in a completely silent respectable manner  Everyone must participate!  Walk outside in a completely silent respectable manner, single file line  Keep body loose and breathe  After being outside follow Sifu (Master Jacobs)  Make 5 EVEN rows of 5-8 people  No talking please  Listen with intent to Sifu instructions  Do not rush…one form at a time  Walk inside in a completely silent respectable manner

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