The Ten Basic Rules of Practicing Tai Chi

"Tai Chi for Health" by Edward Maisel

1. Relax. Avoid any nervous or muscular tension. Relax facial muscles as well. The result will be a look of serenity.
2. Empty your mind of thought and allow it to become wholly concerned with and aware of each movement of the body.
3. Perform the actions as slowly as possible.
4. Keep the same tempo throughout. Some actions lend themselves to a faster tempo, but avoid any such temptation to hurry.
5. Breath easily and naturally through the nose.
6. Every action should be comfortable. If it is not comfortable, it is not correct.
7. Never push any action to the utmost. Never stop as far as possible. Always reserve the end of the action to become the beginning of the next one.
8. Every action should be performed with careful deliberateness. Nothing is unimportant. Perform each action as though for the first time.
9. No conscious strength or force should ever be exerted.
10. Action is continuous from the beginning of Tai Chi to the end of Tai Chi. Never stop an action. Never be completely still.

Qi Gong and Taiji

Qi is the energy of life. A live person has Qi but a dead person doesn't. A healthy person has abundant clear Qi while a sick person has more toxic Qi.

Practicing Qi Gong is a process of making the Qi in your body more clearer by receiving fresh Qi from the Nature and removing the toxic Qi. Practicing Qi Gong and Taiji can both improve your body's Qi then impact your health in a positive way.

What's the difference between practicing Qi Gong and Taiji? How to feel the Qi?

May 7, 2006

On May 7, 2006, Cindy shared her experiences and observations with the Taiji club where she is a member from her 15+ years of practicing Qi Gong and 6+ years of practicing Taiji.

Read the outline (Chinese)

Benefits of Tai Chi

Benefits of Tai chi

1. Stronger knees and ankles
2. Better balance and flexibility
3. Improved immune system
4. More confidence
5. Better coordination, fewer falls
6. Reduced pain; reduced medication
7. Increased range of motion

Tai chi: Smooth move for arthritis

Taiji's Essence Reflected in the Movements

Learning and practicing Tai Chi (Taiji) can help you relax and relieve stress. Do you know it is also an experience of exploring Chinese culture and life philosophy which will benefit your mind and soul?

Taiji's essence is Lao Zi's philosophy of immersing human being into the nature and following the laws of nature to achieve life balance.

Taiji's movements have the following characteristics:
1. Many movements and postures resemble that of birds and animals
2. The body, hands and feet constantly move in the opposite state, Yin and Yang.
3. All the movements require the lead from Yi (a mind state) to the coordination of eyes, hands, body and feet.

Taiji is not just a slow and smooth exercise but is also a culture, a philosophy and a way of looking at the world.