Dao 'The Way of Tai Chi'
Tai Chi Classes, Courses and Workshops in Centennial Park Sydney
“The Dao that can be spoken of is not the true Dao” Lao Tsu – Tao Te Ting.
And yet so much has been spoken – and written – about the Dao, and this is also true for tai chi. So here at Tai Chi Sydney we will attempt to clarify some basic methods and ideas relating to the form, techniques, and inner listening qualities of tai chi so beginners of tai-chi in their journey can understand these principles. We first activate the body-mind, then the mind-body sphere; we circulate the energy through the open joints with a deeper understanding of muscles and pressures; through various tai chi and qigong postures and stances of the forms, we then stimulate the meridians and channels; and finally we refine ourselves through self-awareness, self-discipline and meditation.
Knowledge and understanding of the methods, techniques, energetics and meditative quality of taiji can lead to wisdom. We can then be revitalised, energised, sensitised, stimulated and refined to deepen our inner knowledge, inner calmness and peace. Self-awareness, and discipline improves our connection to our body – mind – energy sphere. Learning to absorb pressure helps to resolve conflict. Taiji promotes sensitivity and allows us to move from outer worldly affairs to an inner meditative space.
Tai Chi nourishes the internal organs, strengthens the bones, increases muscle elasticity, manages foot and waist pressure more efficiently, stimulates brain activity, promotes peace, faith, love, trust, justice and truth, although these ideas may be difficult to understand or implement in our busy and stressful everyday lives. So, for example, our digestive, respiratory and immune systems, which will typically register and react to distress and develop dis-ease, are strengthened through training, which helps to counter such attacks and assist the functioning of our sensory and endocrine systems. We seek to integrate the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems which we might think of as the respective energy-getting and spending systems of the body (and are also analogous to the right and left sides of the brain – broadly, the intuitive, poetic vs the analytic, controlling spheres) – through particular exercises which stimulate the flow of energy to strengthen the organs, tissues and bones of the body and, consequently, develop greater mental and emotional well-being. As these systems become more closely aligned, the parasympathetic (yin) will be favoured, producing inner calm and peace. The three stages of relaxation is first to relax the body, then to sink our energy and finally to empty our thoughts.
The aim of our PRACTICE of TAIJI is first to:
Reorganise and reintegrate our true physical and energetic well-being (yang) through:-
EXERCISE – MAINTENANCE – SELF AWARENESS – ENERGETICS
– We perfect the form, increase our physical skill through the movements and techniques of the form. The movements express ideas of the universal Dao.
– We learn to watch the flow of energy
– We investigate the difference between our senses (eyes, ears, nose, smell, touch) with our sensors (pain, pressure, joint position, temperature, muscle states)
– We Improve our vital energy, skill and movement
– Improvements in our health and fitness are initial benefits.
– Horizontal body movements (yang) represent the physical plane, while habitual activity is circular and meditation or inner stillness us vertical (Yin).
When the form is done correctly the following benefits may manifest in the body, in:
– Better coordination and balance
– Deeper relaxation
– Better postural and body alignment
– Stabilising of bones and strengthening of our ligaments, muscles, tendons, sinews and other fascia tissue
– Increased level of fitness
– Looser and more open joints
– Release of tension within the body
– Better body coordination, balance, revitalisation and calmness
– Stimulates our vital organs, soothes our nerves
– Supports the immune system
– Stores and maintains sexual functioning
– Increase in vitality
– Rejuvenation and healing of the body
A) MOVEMENT
– Stabilises the centre
– Synthesises the body structure
– Sensitises the kinetic and spatial movement
– Regulates and smoothens the energy flow
– Sharpens our responses
B) MIND
Spreading the awareness in and around the body balances and settles the emotions; silences (quietens) the minds activity and inner dialogue; synchronises the brains rhythms; Improves concentration and stills the incessant inner chatter (monkey mind).
C) BEYOND STUDY – LIFE IN THE WORLD
to re-adjust our emotional ups and downs:-
1 – Facilitates mental tranquillity
2 – Thinking, knowledge and understanding deepens
3 – Improves balance and equanimity, calmness, centeredness
4 – Stirs the deeper wisdom and understanding of our journey in life
5 – Develops our physical and mental space
6 – We learn to clearly distinguish between Yin and Yang (Yin/Yang Philosophy).
7 – We apply the principles to our daily life..
D) MEDITATION –
through Balance of the Physical,, Emotional and Energetic gates, we realign our intellectual, philosophical and spiritual connection:
1) The movements of the form convey either skillful techniques or philosophical ideas.
2) The movements are intertwined in the forms and techniques
3) Improves our concentration and relaxation
4) Stimulates the desire to realise our deep inner self and to investigate the ideas of spirit, soul and source.
5) Vertical movements (Yin) represent the deeper part of the mind WHICH convey ideas AND is useful in understanding philosophy, improving meditation and contemplation
E) SKILL THE BODY, STILL THE MIND, AND FILL THE HEART AND SOUL
Being genuine, fun and open-minded our being is still, and the path clear.
Zikr – the Sufi state of self-remembering through constant refining of ourselves and by practising the forms.
If through practice of the forms, techniques and postures you feel the benefit to your well-being, happiness and wholeness, then practice becomes less of a doing and more of a being i.e. a natural response and understanding that if something works for you then ongoing practice can only lead to greater benefits and a deeper and clearer insight in managing our psychological and physiological togetherness.
A well balanced motor neuron and nervous system is developed through the correct physical and energetic postures, techniques and forms, with a greater emphasis on the parasympathetic nervous system (happiness, well being, fun!) as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system (anxiety stress, logic, disorder).
The Dao represents Life as a harmony between opposites, a symphony of ideas and a universal melody. Dao is the eternal law which governs our relationship to each other and to the universe itself connecting us to the bio- rhythm of the earth through the slow and gentle like TAIJI movements. To fully understand the Nature of taiji, we study the forms, postures, techniques, re-balance our energies, and allow a deeper playful and non-serious meditative quality in our lives. It is an experience of the unknown and unknowable. So we can say that taiji mirrors life as an unfathomable, unknowable mystery.
F) SOME IDEAS OF YIN/YANG BALANCE
Remember Also: nothing is absolute and while the world we live in a world where everything is relative, the distinction between yin and yang, good and bad, beautiful and ugly becomes merely a matter of viewpoint. As in our taiji we never fully come to rest, nor put our total weight on only one leg. There is always a 70/30, 80/20, 90/10 ratio between each foot and always some external or internal movement between postures
Join us in the beautiful surrounds of Centennial Park or Grant Reserve Coogee.
Meet our fantastic instructors and regular group.
Relax, unwind and regenerate your vital energy in these fun and sometimes challenging exercises.
Tai Chi is renowned for it’s therapeutic and health benefits, flexilbilty and coordination.
Relax, unwind and release the body tension. Movement meditation in action.
To book classes please hit the Book Classes Button
We look forward to your participation.