Newsletter   •   Jul 5, 2022

Tai Chi, calmness in action and meditation in movement, a holistic approach to health and wellbeing

August 2022

Hello Tai Chi friends and enthusiasts, a warm welcome to our August Newsletter!

In a society as complicated as the present one, everyone, whatever your profession or vocation, will most probably feel your energy taxed past your endurance at times. It is therefore clear that unless you is ready to retire from the world like a hermit in medieval times, your capacity to stand the daily stain without any means of recuperation must have a limit beyond which you can hardly carry on.

Tai Chi, also known as Tai Chi Chuan, as it is practised in China and the rest of the world today, is a system of physical exercise based on the principles of effortless breathing, rhythmic movement and weight equilibrium. It is also designed to serve as a method of self-defence.

The essence of Tai Chi lies in the maintenance of perfect body balance at all times, from which one becomes centred and grounded. Among all Tai Chi guiding principles, Song 松 ( also known as Sung), meaning Relax, and Chen 沉, meaning sinking, are probably the most important ones.

The principle of Song is usually translated into English as relax. As it is difficult to find an equivalent in English to express the full and true meaning of ‘Song’ 松 in Chinese, relax may be the closest word to it. Though ‘Song’ means to loosen one’s muscles and release one’s pent-up tension, however, ‘Song’ doesn’t mean to give up one’s energy. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Along with the related principle of ‘Chen’ 沉, ‘Song’ requires that one should store up rather than give up the energy.

A Tai Chi student should not waste his/her energy purposelessly and meaninglessly, and instead, he/she should keep the energy in the Dan Tian or lower part of the abdomen. By doing so, one can give his/her whole body a chance to rest and at the same time regenerate energy.

A theory like this may sound strange to people in the West. But western medical research has discovered that anything wrong with one’s nerve system automatically affects other part of his body. It may interest you to know that Tai Chi teaches you how to control your nervous systems ( including central and peripheral nervous system) in order to put your whole body to rest.

Have you ever experienced tautness in your muscles, contraction in your hearts and discomfort in your stomachs when you are tense and stressed?

To keep your nerve system in a state of calm is one of the most effective ways to keep healthy. Tai Chi can help you achieve this state of calm.

The tai chi principle of ‘Song’ is to teach you how to achieve calmness in action and meditation in movement.

As to the principle of ‘Chen’, it teaches you how to sink your Qi ( life energy) down to your Dan Tian (lower abdomen) and then flow to your whole body. Imagine Shower your entire body with warm and rejuvenating life energy. ‘Chen’ can only be achieved when you can truly relax first.

Though such theory is essential for Tai Chi practice, there is nothing as good as your own experience. What would you say?

Meridian Connection Tai Chi school is really happy to offer a FREE Tai Chi at park session so you can experience Tai Chi in nature. This event is also to celebrate Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, (may known as Moon Lantern Festival, in Chinese, Zhong Qiu Jie). Click here for more information https://meridian-connection.com.au/20220910-tai-chi-seacliff-park/.

One of the old notes I saw long time ago came back to me today, like an old friend, made me smile and reflect on my life journey. Here to share with you, do hope you like it.
“Where the spirit ( Shen in Chinese) is not troubled, sickness can make no headway. Optimism, serenity, the control of passions, and the domination of feelings allow the spirit to remain hidden in the ‘internal’ domain “.

An another important news is new Term 3 will start on 13th and 14th September respectively. Online registration is open now https://meridian-connection.com.au/classes/. Want to experience less pain, lots to gain? Empower yourself for a healthier and happier you. Enroll now to secure your spot.

We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you back soon wherever it may be.

Yours in Tai Chi,
Fang and Meridian Connection Tai Chi team