Class Handout for Students

As a newly accredited teacher [Spring, ’96], I plan to give this write-up on T’ai Chi Chih to my students.

T’ai Chi Chih is a new system of Chi Kung (chee gung) discipline originated by an American, Justin F. Stone. Chi Kung disciplines have come to us from the ancient Chinese Taoists and their purpose is to circulate and balance the Yin and Yang aspects of the Chi, or Vital Force. In T’ai Chi Chih (tie chee chuh), we do this with a system of soft, slow movement. Now, let’s take a moment and examine the Chi and the Great Yin and Yang more closely.

The Chi has been known by many names in different cultures . . . the Intrinsic Energy, Vital Force, Odic Force, Orgone Energy, etc. It is an all-pervasive, intelligent energy that exists within and without of all things.

Yin and Yang are the Great Opposites that exist in everything and can be observed in nature – Day and Night, Summer and Winter, Hot and Cold, Sun and Moon . . . . with the first element in these pairs being Yang and the second, Yin. Since we live in a world that is in constant vibration (the great Vibratory Dance), down to the finest observable levels, we can also view Yin and Yang as merely the oppositional polarity inherent in vibration, or expansion and contraction.

T’ai Chi Chih has many, many benefits for those who learn the simple movements and practice often (preferably daily!). These include the benefits of good overall health, stress reduction and relaxation, and spiritual development. In fact T’ai Chi Chih, when translated, means “Knowledge of the Supreme Ultimate,” so it is essentially a spiritual discipline. The practitioner may, with time, find himself one day swimming in a Sea of Joy as he does the practice, a Joy or Bliss (Ananda in Sanskrit) that springs from the inner Innate or Spiritual Nature. This is why T’ai Chi Chih is subtitled Joy Thru Movement.

T’ai Chi Chih is fun, healthy and a Great Adventure. One does not have to believe anything or have any certain philosophical perspective and may choose to utilize philosophy, metaphysics, or religion for obtaining a conceptual grasp or not, as they wish! But simply and basically, just do the movements, as Justin says, … merely “Practice, practice, practice!” This is the secret … the results are cumulative so daily practice is the way of progress, health, and growth. But, remember — Have fun . . . always!

Yours for Daily practice,