This is the body’s resistance to change. With weekly classes in
Centennial Park, and the choice of extra practice in Coogee, in Sydney’s
eastern suburbs, our bodies can become better coordinated, stronger, more robust and flexible. With time and practice, we learn to release the stress and tension ordinarily associated with everyday activities. A principle of practising taiji and qi gong is “tranquillity in movement and movement in tranquillity”. We learn to use the breath to draw power through our hands and fingers. The sensations of being grounded, calm, still, peaceful, relaxed, and centred will become clear in taiji classes and workshops. Taiji is a moveable meditation,  taking these ideas with us, we can be in a happy state wherever we go.

We practice the tai-chi forms to know ourselves; to know others, we practice sensing or push hands, learning the techniques in a safe environment. We become good at what we practice most; we don’t progress where we practice least. The Taiji classics speak of the straight arrow as a noble desire. Merit accumulates with noble desires but is depleted by the crooked arrows of weakness and evil desires. Taiji is a two-step process: first we find the arrow, Xin or heart/mind, then we draw the bow aimed to develop character, intention, mindfulness, clarity and alertness.

Flow and Movement
Taiji is a longevity practice.
The story goes, ‘we ferment grapes to get wine, we distil wine to get
brandy, and we further distil to make cognac,’ ¾ a more refined and
powerful taste. The movements of taiji are natural mechanisms to tune and refine our inner energy. Its movements follow the natural lines of the body in anti-
inflammatory exercise, producing better health and overall wellbeing. Relaxing and flowing is a concept unique to taiji philosophy. Movements connect like waves and so we learn to avoid breaks – bumps in the road – between movements. Each movement is experienced as a wave of energy rolling in continuous motion. This is the essence of taiji as the connecting principle central to relationships and our own human progress. Mastery itself is continuous flowing rather than achieving perfection. We evolve towards mastery on an upward curve of learning since, like us, mastery either evolves or stagnates.


The five stages of training
1. Ji – ability − I can do this
2. Dui – correct − the accuracy of posture and breathing
3. Hao – good – a pleasing quality, pleasant to perform or watch
4. Miao – individual cleverness and uniqueness (one’s own stamp)
5. Ji – limit − no other can copy or do in the same way; it is a mystery
how you got there

Progressing through these levels requires training and practice. In this personal evolution we experience different feelings (mindfulness or an existential state of no self). Becoming empty of our self is the motivational seed of taiji practice. Concepts and thought may be used initially; then, using physical movement, energy flows of its own accord. Techniques aimed to move us inwards toward the light assist in developing our intention, character, compassion, and integrity.

Our flow and intention leads to specific taiji outcomes, such as:

1. Soft overcoming hard – a martial art
2. Moving and unblocking our chi internally – a meditation
4. Continuous and harmonious action – a philosophy or way of thinking
5. Creativity – a movement art whereby the body, mind and spirit are integrated for greater creativity when practicing, a continuous stream happiness, internal power and strength
6. Brain plasticity – a method of exercising your brain
7. Resolution of conflict – through intention a thought becomes an outcome determined by how and what we practice

The movements of taiji are natural mechanisms that work to tune and refine our inner energy.
The story goes, ‘we ferment grapes to get wine, we distil wine to get brandy, and we further distil to make cognac,’ ¾ a more refined and powerful taste.

Continuing to cultivate our life force (chi / qi, relating to others and the
world is easier. More attuned to the natural environment, since taiji
reflects nature, our spirit (shen) and intention (yi) mirrors the natural
world.

Remember, intention is not exertion or struggle but instead moving with
the purpose of cultivating our chi for vitality and good health. We can conserve our energies through the gentle exercises practice of tai-chi.

Cultivating and accumulating chi is continuous and synergetic – all parts of the body work together for new energy and renewed health, unobstructed by tension or energy blockages or imbalances. When energy stagnates, our bodies are prone to invasion by ill health and disease. This is why it is said, ‘Where the chi goes the blood follows’: the stronger circulation gained in the regular practice of tai-chi flows to better health and wellbeing.