T’ai Chi Chih teaches students to feel energy

Participants find pratice to be a relaxing stress reliever

By Michelle Habrych, Staff Reporter

Grayslake Times (Lakeland Newspapers), June 2, 2000. Article reprinted with permission.

Standing in a circle in low light, music softly plays in the background while the students listen for the instructor’s direction. Slowly, the group rocks back and forth in a smooth motion.

The students are focused as their instructor, Donna McElhose, reminds them to focus on their feet. With fluid motion, the group moves to the right, to the left, and back to the right again, some concentrating on each movement while others move as though it is part of who they are.

This group of students ranges in age from early 20s to mid-70s. These men and women have taken classes in the moving meditation known as T’ai Chi Chih from McElhose at various places, including the College of Lake County, Trinity United Lutheran Church and the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook.

Unlike T’ai Chi Ch’uan, this is not a martial art. T’ai Chi Chih was created by Justin Stone in 1974. A T’ai Chi Ch’uan master himself, he found the ancient martial arts form difficult for students to do, requiring many years of practice to perfect in order to receive the benefits. Stone found 20 simple movements, which he named T’ai Chi Chih—Chinese for “Knowledge of Supreme Ultimate.” McElhose said these movements can be learned in eight weeks.

“This is not a religious practice,” McElhose stated. She said even Catholic nuns teach the movements.

“It’s a way to incorporate your mind, your body and your spirit in the now,” she said, trying to explain T’ai Chi Chih. She said the practice contributes to health, energy and balance.

McElhose herself was a student of T’ai Chi Ch’uan when she became frustrated with the difficulty and number of movements. “The road is too long,” she said. “You can’t see the end goal.” When she was introduced to the newer form, T’ai Chi Chih, she said it was what she had been looking for.

By nature, McElhose said she is quiet and shy. T’ai Chi Chih brought her out and she began teaching it after becoming a certified master. Her students attempted to put into words what T’ai Chi Chih has them experience.

“It’s amazing what it’ll do for you,” commented John Nemeth of Gurnee. “It takes away the aches and pains.”

Susan Bradford-Smith, of Wildwood, said, “It relieves my stress to do it on a daily basis.”

Others say they have experienced lower blood pressure as a result. Earl Kelly of Gurnee is one of those who believes that practicing T’ai Chi Chih has resulted in lower blood pressure. His wife, Dorothy Kelly, explained that their son got them involved in the meditation. The couple practices at home together. “It’s nice to have someone to do it with you,” Dorothy Kelly said.

The group consensus is that the reason behind their good experience is that they feel energy around them and in them, especially in their hands and fingertips. “There are no words for it,” McElhose said. “My description or words would be inadequate.” She said the energy works differently in each person.

“The more you slow down, the more you can start to feel the energy that’s there,” commented Anne Krause of Antioch.

Frank Sinsun of Zion explained, “The energy is what I’m getting out of this.” He noted that although he is still learning the movements, he believes it’s not too difficult.

Nate Kalmes of Lake Villa said he had looked into T’ai Chi Chih through books and tapes. Taking McElhose’s class at the College of Lake County, he said, is “one of the best things I’ve ever done.” Kalmes described it as a “slow centering meditation” in this fast-paced society. “This is where we are right now when you do T’ai Chi Chih. The rest of the world can go away.”

McElhose will be offering an introductory class at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago June 7, 14 and 21. For reservations or information, call.