Stone Featured in New Mexico Magazine

From: New Mexico Magazine, Land of Enchantment, May 1997, Volume 75, Number 5. Asi Es Nuevo Mexico Section. Entitled, Albuquerque man taps energy from gentle T’ai Chi Chih moves, by Janice J. Arrott

Synopsis: This article by New Mexico T’ai Chi Chih teacher Jan Arrott, is a descriptive narrative about the life and times of Justin Stone and the origin of T’ai Chi Chih.

New Mexico, with its blend of ancient and modern, seems a fitting birthplace for evolutionary ideas. Twenty-three years ago, in Albuquerque, Justin Stone originated T’ai Chi Chih, a joyful system of 19 gentle movements based on ancient Chinese principles of activating intrinsic energy (Chi). Currently, T’ai Chi Chih is a series on National Public Television, produced locally by KNME-TV, Stone, a modern jazz pianist, composed and performed the background music.

For many years, Stone counseled investors on Wall Street and in California. “Yet,” he says, “my interest was always in the Orient.” Early on, he started practicing T’ai Chi Ch’uan, a Chinese martial art form. In 1963, he realized his dream to study in Japan, China and India.

When he ran out of money, he returned to California, working as a stockbroker from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a practicing yogi from 2 p.m. to midnight.

He came to New Mexico in 1974. “I don’t know what drew me here,” he says, “perhaps there was something mystical about Taos, and I had a friend there.”

On a visit to Albuquerque, Stone wandered into the Living Batch Bookstore. “What do you do?” the owner asked.

“I teach T’ai Chi Chuan,” Stone blurted out.

Two students overhearing his remark, stepped forward. “It’s about time you got here,” they said, “we’ve been waiting three years for you.”

Stone was soon teaching T’ai Chi Chuan and Comparative Meditation through the honors program at University of New Mexico. One of his students, a publisher, encouraged him to write a book on some arm-up movements Stone had developed. Within a week, additional movements came to him along with their names. The book was published and T’ai Chi Chih was born. There are now more than 1,000 accredited teachers, worldwide, more than 100 in New Mexico.

A deeply spiritual man, Stone has chosen not to realize financial gain from T’ai Chi Chih. Today, at 80, he practices, teaches meditation and T’ai Chi Chih. Lectures, writes, composes and paints (modern art). His paintings are shown at Nina Bean Gallery in Albuquerque.

“Because of T’ai Chi Chih, my bones and my teeth are strong,” Stone says. ‘Chi is stored in the bones. I don’t tell everyone they should meditate,” he adds, “but there is no one who wouldn’t benefit from practicing T’ai Chi Chih.”