Newsletter   •   Mar 10, 2025

Tai Chi – the bridge connecting active body and a calm mind

March 2025

Welcome everyone to our March newsletter :)

Thank you for all my students who shared your learning feedback with me and positive vibes with others. Your message is powerful and I deeply appreciate it. ❤️

Today I like to do a test with you, I hope you have one minute for the test. Take a deep breath and start to focus on your breath, notice your chest rises and falls with in-breath and out-breath. Now be still, close your eyes and be quiet, focusing on your breath for one minute.

Can you focus on your breath only? What is the noise level in your head?

I tested myself, I found it is hard to have a completely still mind. It seems “monkeys” jump out too often than I would like to have them :) However, with patience and regular practice, I notice that there is less noise in my head and my heart starts to find its peace.

Probably you know more about meditation than I do as it is becoming a common practice for many. I am not a big fan for sitting meditation though I can. Don’t get me wrong. I have heard and seen many who greatly benefit from this practice. Personally, I prefer moving meditation, in which you meditate while moving your body.

Before getting into the moving meditation, it might be helpful to have a brief look at meditation for those who are new to the practice. The term “meditation” evokes many different images for people. Maybe a yogi guru with lotus pose, a Tibetan monk chanting in their maroon robes, Zen devotees sitting quietly, to name but a few.

The word stems from meditatum, a Latin term meaning “to ponder”, “think over”. Several archaeological findings suggest that hunter-gatherers practised some forms of meditation, as were early shamans. With the long history of practice and diverse forms and techniques, meditation can be a way for many to achieve mental stillness, calmness and clarity.

No matter what meditation school and technique you may follow, whether it is religious or spiritual related or not, an important aspect of regularly meditating is to achieve inner peace, contentment, and stay calm and focused.

Keeping one’s attention focused is probably the single most challenging task we encounter in every day life. The average adult attention span is estimated to be about 8 seconds, lagging behind the goldfish (9 second attention span) in terms of being able to focus on a task or object. It is seriously short.

That is why we must consider to train and cultivate our mind to be in a right state, so that we can feel better and function better everyday.

Over the past 12 years, I was told many times by my students how peaceful and calm they feel after the class. A few shared with me the profound impact of Tai Chi in their lives as life-changing force. To thank them for their trust and honour Tai Chi, this ancient art, I am going to explain Tai Chi with its 4 essential pillars, so you can understand better what Tai Chi is.

Tai Chi has 4 essential pillars: Qi Gong, Form, Pushing Hands and Martial Application.

Qi Gong is the foundation, focusing on cultivating and balancing internal energy (Qi). It enhances the quality of movement in Tai Chi, emphasizing softness, liveliness, flow and power.

The Form consists of a series of movements that teach correct shapes and techniques in Tai Chi. Practising the Form develops balance, coordination, and mental calm and stillness. Understanding the Form integrates body, energy and mental focus for meaningful practice.

Pushing hands is a partner exercise that fosters sensitivity, timing and coordination. This practice teaches balance awareness and response to external forces using relaxation and yielding. Pushing hands develops mental skills for relaxation under pressure and strategic yielding.

Martial application involves practicing Tai Chi movements as self-defence techniques.

Each of these pillars supports the others, creating a complete and balanced practice. For example, practicing your Qi Gong enhances your martial skills, while understanding the martial applications enriches your form practice. This interdependence ensures that Tai Chi remains a holistic practice that benefits both body and mind. Practicing these pillars leads to physical and mental rewards, benefiting overall well-being.

I hope you would like to experience some of these essential pillars of Tai Chi practice, or maybe all of these.

Our school new term will commerce on the week of 24th March. Online enrolment is open https://meridian-connection.com.au/classes/ now for registration. Secure your place to experience the flow, calmness and tranquillity.

The city of Marion recently promoted our Tai Chi class in the city’s magazine to acknowledge the power of Tai Chi for Health as in the photo below.

I look forward to welcoming you to our Tai Chi group and to our weekly classes.

Best wishes,
Fang & the Team