Why is Tai Chi, developed by the legendary Taoist master Chang San-Feng during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 C.E.) still a valuable resource for the 21st century?
Because it has a positive effect on some very basic issues that we all face. Tai Chi is a classic health exercise for well-being; a moving meditation, and a soft martial art, based on yielding.
1. All of us want to maintain optimal health throughout our lives:
a. We all want to develop and maintain our vital energy to enhance our lives and improve our health. Tai Chi is based on the awareness and development of our Chi – vital energy.
b. That vital energy needs to be distributed throughout our bodies, penetrating to the depths of our bones. When our Chi is distributed harmoniously throughout the body, mind and spirit, we are in optimal health. This is an enjoyable, rewarding place to be in our lives.
c. Our chi rides on the breath. Stress can cause us to breathe shallowly, affecting our circulation, raising blood pressure, and decreasing our energy. The moving meditation aspect of Tai Chi will help you to relax and balance and calm your emotions, thus relieving stress and contributing to physical, emotional, and spiritual good health.
d. Tai Chi helps us to yield and circulate energy, thus uprooting our conflicts.
2. In pursuing this kind of awareness and self understanding, the Tai Chi School offers a diverse curriculum including:
* tai chi form,
* traditional and modern chi kung (study of chi energy that uses time-tested short exercises that help bring the experience of consciousness.
* kath (chi) generation exercises
* tui sho or push hands in partnership with another person
* and the Tai Chi staff and sword, an opportunity to practice principles of Tai Chi using an object, which can be useful, practical and enjoyable to do.
3. Our curriculum unfolds in the following levels:
* Beginning – learning the moves
* Foundational or fundamental – embodying principle
* and intermediate – use this to bring grace and strength into our movements the form and in your life.
* Apprentice teacher training
4. One important map to help us make these discoveries and to develop them in ourselves is the 5 elements, a very old, classical way to explore knowledge and movement experiences in ourselves and in our spirits. We will explore the 5 elements throughout the curriculum.
Are you ready to experience and develop your Chi Energy? If so, join us for a FREE CLASS the first Saturday of each month at 11 AM, Viscount Dance Studio #B, 724 E. Burnside, Portland, OR, at 10 AM.
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