What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi (pronounced "tie-jee" and sometimes spelled Tai Chi, taichi, or taiji) is a set of slow continuous, evenly paced and carefully patterned natural movements based upon the principle of shifting one's weight while keeping the body stable and upright. The movements are connected by smooth, even breathing. The moves are characterized by circularity of motion and relaxation of tension. Each movement begins in the mind and is directed by conscious mental intention..

In Tai Chi, the mind has a double role. It is the source of intention, directingand controlling movement, and attention, monitoring the effects of movement. Someone watching Tai Chi sees only the slowness and the beauty of the movements. Someone doing Tai Chi is wholly involved in guiding a stream of energy and enjoying an experience of attentive awareness.

A Unified Approach to Tai Chi
Many people think of Tai Chi Chuan as a martial art. They are correct; it is a powerful martial art. Yet Tai Chi is much more. It is also an art of the mind and a healt-giving art. For this reason, the OWN approach to Tai Chi is not through the martial arts but through thos fundamental aspects of Tai Chi that give it its power.

In its essence Tai Chi has a close relationship with another, even more ancient art, the healing art of Ch'i Kung. It is through Ch'i Kung that we approach Tai Chi. Each art has its special strength. Ch'i Kung is the practice of controlling the flow of energy -- ch'i -- within the body through breathing and mental intention. Most Ch'i Kung exercises are stationary, although some use circular rotations to stimulate the flow of energy. They emphasize relaxation and breathing evenly. Approaching Tai Chi through Ch'i Kung allows students to experience the essential nature of Tai Chi more fully and more rapidly than by other methods.

These two arts complement each other. Simply put, both Tai Chi and Ch'i Kung do four essential things: strengthen the link between mind and body, improve self-control (in every sense, from control over physical movement to control over emotions), relax and calm both mind and body, and promote healing and rejuvination.

The OWN approach to Tai Chi is as an art that promotes the wholeness of the self through self-control. Because Tai Chi movements begin as a mental intention and are guided by thought, Tai Chi improves self-control by linking mind and body. This linking is a firm and close one because the flow of energy in the body (ch'i) is senstive to mental direction. With practice, one can bring mind, thoughts, ch'i, and body in to harmony under one's control.

The Grand Tai Chi Movement
This movement usually comes at the end of a sequence of Tai Chi movements. This movement is very effective in moving ch'i freely to every part of the body. To perform this movement the Ch'i Kung way, pay attention to your breathing. As you begin to learn the movement make sure you breathe naturally. Once you have mastered the movement use your mental intention to "breathe with your entire body" as you raise your arms. As you lower your arms in front of your body, pay attention to the feeling of the ch'i flow. Take as many breaths as you find necessary during the movement This movement uses the palms of the hands to direct the flow of ch'i evenly to every part of the body.

When you do this movement you prepare your mind and body for all Tai Chi movements as well as a finishing movement. While in this balanced position you relax your body and calm your mind. Use your mental intention to "lower" your energy to your abdomen and legs and let all your weight sink down to your legs.

Stand up. Have your feet parallel and placed at the width of your shoulders. Keep your weight evenly balanced on both legs with your knees loose. Relax arms at sides, slightly away from your body.
Breathe evenly, with your whole body relaxed. This will mentally prepare you for Tai Chi.
Quietly feel your weight is going down to your feet.
Bend knees slightly and sweep arms out and up in an arc, forming a large circle.	Bring arms up to shoulder height, elbows slightly bent, palms facing each other at chest height.	Raise both hands to face height, arms in a circle, palms in, not touching, fingers apart.	Slowly lower hands in front of your body, arms in a circle, palms turning down. Straighten knees.	Return arms to sides slowly, with palms down.

While practicing this movement, keep your entire body relaxed. With enough practice you should feel a wave of warmth flowing from head to feet, a tingling sensation in the palms, and the sensation of a column of warm air in front of your chest. Because this movement helps reduce stress and promote healing, it is used to end each session of practice. It is usually through this movement that students feel the flow of ch'i for the first time. Even if youdon't feel the ch'i flow, however, you will feel good all over -- from top to bottom. Any time you are under stress, simply get and do the a few times. It will help reduce stress and rejuvenate your body immediately. If all you have is thirty seconds, this is the movement you should practice.

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