Tai Chi Concepts

The art of Tai Chi evolved around certain concepts and philosophies. These concepts and philosophies include Yin and Yang, Three Key Elements and the Four Principles of Relaxation.

Yin and Yang

The Chinese have long held in the belief that the Universe is made up of two opposite forces, called Yin and Yang. Ancient Chinese philosophers proposed that in the beginning before the universe was formed, there was wu chi. Wu Chi means the void or complete emptiness. An empty circle represents wu chi. Then at some point there was movement, a beginning. This was the beginning of tai chi.

As movement accelerated within wu chi, two polar forces known as yin and yang emerged. These two forces then merged to form one, the tai chi, which means the grand ultimate. Although opposite in nature, yin and yang are complementary forces. Coming from the same source, they are interdependent; like night and day, up and down, cause and effect, and all other opposites. Neither one can exist without the other.

The late American philosopher Alan Watts said, "The two [yin and yang] are not to be taken as substances or entities, but as qualities inherent in all things."

It is important to realize that yin and yang represent polarities, rather than forces in opposition.

Three Key Elements

There are three key elements that are to be observed in practising Tai Chi.

1. Listen inward to feeling. Listening inward to feeling is directing your attention to your internal environment. This is the preparation for the next key element.

2. Breathe. As we listen inward to feeling we become aware of our breathing. At this stage it is very important to place your attention on your belly and let go of any tension there. As you observe your in and out breath, you will notice how your body and mind naturally begin to relax.

3. Relax. Relaxation is a natural process of letting go of excess tension in your body and mind. As you are able to relax even deeper, you will notice how your breathing becomes more rhythmic and smooth. This begins to release tension in the muscles and joints which increases internal energy (Chi) flow.

These three key elements are progressive. One flows into the other as they mix to become a foundation by which all other practice takes form.

Four Principles of Relaxation

1. Suspend from the crown. Feel as though you are suspending from a string at the crown of your head.

2. Relax shoulders. By relaxing your shoulders, your neck muscles also begin to relax via connective tissue. Our cells have memory, and we may need to repeat this process many times throughout practice. In time, with persistence, we will transmute this constricted code.

3. Relax Dan Tien. Dan Tien is approximately an inch below your navel. The literal meaning of Dan Tien is 'Field of Elixir'. This is a very important biovortex for cultivating Chi. By simply placing our attention on Dan Tien, it becomes energized.

4. Relax waist, sink and root. By relaxing your waist, your Chi is able to sink and flow down into your feet. This will give you a very distinct feeling of being grounded, or rooted, also, with a relaxed waist, you are able to neutralize spinal compression caused by resistance (stress) to gravity.

Listening inward to feeling does not mean that we become unaware of our external environment; it means merging the internal with the external, the Yin and the Yang. Listening inward sets up a filtering system to filter out sensory debris.