Chi Relates to 21st Century Personal Development

In my 20s, I took basic instruction in martial arts to harness the power of Chi for self-defense and offense. In attempting to breaking boards, I developed cracked skin, bruised joints, and little appreciation for Chi where the knuckles met the board. In T’ai Chi Chih we seek to circulate and balance this energy, this Chi. We break habits and patterns of behavior that can be stronger than boards or blocks. We strengthen our energy system through habitual practice. Chi is a word TCC teachers may use almost casually, for we feel a personal relationship with it. Our students may not have shared the same tangible experience with Chi. So how do we relate the message to them?

Growing up in the1950s, I was told that the human body was essentially pocket change. In the 70s, Earl Nightingale presented the body as a fabulous energy and logic system and asked us to view it as being worth millions of dollars. This is a great perspective from which to view the concept of Chi. The body’s physical components, the mind, and the spirit combine to form a wondrous energized entity. We describe Chi as the “intrinsic energy” within each of us (the energy that stimulates thought, creativity, and growth) that maintains and nurtures us. Without Chi, there is no life. Chi is the essence of Nightingale’s wondrous energy system.

While the concept of Chi may be foreign to many Westerners, balance and habit are spoken of often. Chi is often represented through the yin-yang symbol of opposing energies, constantly in motion, seeking to balance one another. Through adopting the positive habit of regular practice of TCC, we aid ourselves by circulating and increasing Chi. The tangible benefits we can convey to students are expressed as calm, energy, control, balance and others that help us negotiate and enjoy our life and contact with others.