TAI CHI CHUAN THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE EXERCISE FOR THE BODY AND MIND

TAI CHI CHUAN THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE EXERCISE FOR THE BODY AND MIND

About 1000 BC, Qin Wen, one of the founders of the Chiu Dynasty, formalized the complex philosophical system into a series of 64 permutations of the trigrams, known as hexagrams. Chiu Kung, the son of Wen, added another 64 variations and established exact relationships between the hexagrams and the point of the compass, the seasons and even the times of the day. The I Ching or Book of Changes can be contributed for both father and son (Weh and Chou Kung). The I CHING is a Book that serves as an oracle, an object of religious devotion, and guide.

In our place, at the Bell Chinese Church, the I CHING is used to foretell the future. Aside of being a place of worship, many Chinese and some Filipinos who believe in the power of the oracle go there to seek answers to their questions about the future. Some of the most asked questions are; when to start a business, which type of business, when to set a date of marriage, or when to start building a house and many more. The traditional method of consulting the I Ching for divination I with the use of yarrow stalks, the manipulation of which allows time for concentration and meditation on questions to be asked as the hexagram is laboriously constructed.

As early as 190 AD, the surgeon Han T’O recommended a series of breathing exercises based on this philosophical system. He called them the “Five Animal Frolics” and they were based on the observations of the movements and breathing of the bear, tiger, monkey, fowl, and deer. Although, with one exception, these are not creatures of the I Ching. The parallel is obvious and here, the origin of such movements, “carry tiger to the mountain” and “step back and repulse monkey” can be seen.

What is the relevance of the art to our needs today? Most people who exercise do so by participating in some type of sports. These sports may range from the very sedentary fishing in the river or very vigorous mountain climbing and hiking Mt. Pulag (Known Mountain in our place) or any other high mountains. Most sports by individuals or by adults make demands on a very limited number of muscle groups and do not stress the lungs, heart, and circulation enough to produce a steady improvement in the body function. In well-meaning but misguided attempts, some persons attack sports activities very vigorously for short period of time without adequate preparation. This may have serious, if not disastrous, effects on the body.

Tai Chi Chuan is not too exacting for persons of any age, and it can be performed at any speed or any length of time. It exercises is every part of the body, if a complete set of exercise is carried out, and it develops coordination and balance. It invokes a grace of movements which is aesthetically pleasing to the performer. It instills a mood of calmness, reflection, or meditation, rather than a feeling of excitement which is characteristic of most sports activities. In fact, it can be performed at any time of the day, whether indoors or outdoors, in a relatively small place. It also requires no equipment, however, it is advisable to use loose fitting clothing and comfortable low-heeled shoes.

A good teacher is important in this kind of exercise. The necessary balance, coordination, and flexibility do not come easily to those who are used to exercise that strain different parts of the body.