Student Presentation About Circulating, Balancing & Accumulating Chi

Justin said, “One does not have to outguess T’ai Chi Chih, nor to understand it intellectually” for the benefits to be realized. Even though Justin didn’t think that TCC needed analyzing to be enjoyed (and benefited from), he did offer hints on the process and its effects. This talk will be about the process of circulating, balancing and accumulating Chi through TCC. Others in the group will talk about the effects of these processes.

What is Chi? Justin defines it as Vital Force or Intrinsic Energy, and he says that we do not possess the Chi but rather, “We are a product of the Chi.” Very interesting thought. “Chinese cosmology says the first manifestation of life was brought about by the yin Chi separating from yang Chi.”

About the process, Justin says that, “With the gentle movements of TCC … the Chi circulates and is then balanced. TCC … builds up the Vital Force, stored in the bones and in the navel.”

As you start to move in TCC, the Chi starts to circulate and the yin and yang energies separate. As they separate and continue to move through the body they can be brought into balance.

In order for this to happen, Justin says, “TCC must be done softly and with the ‘effort of no effort.’” He also says, “Movement must be from the center of the body, not from the shoulders or arms.”

He’s now introducing the principles of TCC. Circularity, polarity, and yinning and yanging are built into the structure of the movements. If you’re doing the movements correctly these qualities are present. Then there’s softness and continuity, grounding while moving and flowing from the center: these principles must be consciously applied to each of the movements in order for the Chi to flow smoothly and become balanced.

Now we come to accumulating Chi. Justin says, “TCC results are cumulative … regular practice leads to Chi firming the bones, and the Chi is progressively stored in the tan t’ien.” He also says, “This Chi will be molded and accumulated” and in TCC the character of Chi gradually changes.

So here’s a question for you: How do we know all this is happening? Do we just take it on faith, or are there signs that these things are happening inside?