Chi
T’ai Chi Chih is a mindfulness moving meditation practice that’s easy to learn. The series of 19 movements and one pose helps circulate the Vital Energy, the Chi. Practitioners experience peace, improved health and many more benefits. Our free monthly e-newsletter offers inspiration between issues of the TCC quarterly journal, The Vital Force, in which teachers and students tell stories about ways they’ve benefited from the practice.
When the Chi flows freely and is balanced, the Cosmic Rhythm begins to move us. – Justin F. Stone, TCC Originator
From a recent issue of The Vital Force:
Allowing: “We live in an era of constant change and demands for more effort. So much of my life I’ve strived to be self-reliant for what sometimes felt like superhuman accomplishment. It has been a challenge for me to practice ‘Letting Go’ of the sense of responsibility to depend on only myself alone. Yet allowing myself to be shown the way has been the greatest blessing. When I see students striving with effort, their shoulders leaning forward, I ask them to invite their shoulders to patiently trust the hips to carry them and allow the tan t’ien to lead the way.” – JS, Houston, TX
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Mixing: “I have an essential tremor which affects balance, and a neurologist recommended T’ai Chi. I went to a few classes but it was very hard to follow the movements. Then a physical therapist working with me on balance suggested I try TCC. I felt excited and relieved after my first session. I felt peace of mind, body and spirit. While TCC will probably help me develop body-balance skills, its most important aspect is the mixing of energies….” – BY, Simpsonville, SC
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Connecting: “’Softness, AND continuity, IS the essence of T’ai Chi Chih,’ Justin said…. We are all connected to everything. You and I interact with the air, the earth’s magnetic fields and the Chi. You and I are continuous in the same way that a punctuated circle is. Our practice of TCC is continuous with everything at all times even if it is not touching it in physical space. We act on the Chi and it acts on us. This is another form of spiritual continuity, perhaps like the difference between a scherzo and a symphony.” – RK, Saratoga, CA
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Changing: “Mastering of the mind means mastery of the body…. A man is literally what his Intrinsic Energy (Prana) is. This Life Force changes as we cultivate ourselves – and as we cultivate ourselves, the Life Force changes.” – Justin F. Stone
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Where in the World? Visit our website for photos of TCC practice around the globe. Submit your own.
Want more inspiration? Want connection with the global TCC community? Want tips for a better practice? Join us:
1) Subscribe to The Vital Force. Our quarterly journal offers engaging stories, hints and insights from TCC teachers and students. We also highlight wisdom by, and photos rarely seen of, originator Justin Stone.
2) Subscribe to this monthly e-newsletter by sending an email.