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Taoist Tai Chi was introduced to western society by Master Moy Lin-shin in 1970 and is designed fundamentally to promote and restore health. This purpose distinguishes Taoist Tai Chi from other forms of Tai Chi. The slow, graceful movements of Taoist Tai Chi increase strength and flexibility and improve balance and circulation. The Taoist style of Tai Chi emphasises greater stretching and turning in each of the movements in order to gain these and other benefits more effectively.
Following the principles of Taoist 'internal alchemy', the goal of Taoist Tai Chi is to return the body and mind to its original pure and healthy state. Emphasis is put on being kind, generous and helpful to others and releasing one's own stress and worries. Taoist Tai Chi has been described as a form of 'meditation in motion' where the continuity of its movements, combined with the devotion of one's undivided attention, heal and revitalize both the body and mind.
The physical component of Taoist Tai Chi consists of the basic principles known as the 'Foundations', and 108 movements, which constitute the 'Set'. Some of the principles reflected in the movements are summarized by the following key words: relaxation, balance, lining up the body, correcting angles, 'squaring' the hips, controlling the step and the transfer of weight, turning constantly in spirals, 'opening' and 'closing', centring the trunk, and stretching and relaxing the spine. The movements are gentle, continuous and circular. Practice of the Set is to be done with a relaxed state of mind.
The prime spiritual aspect of Taoist Tai Chi is the adoption of a spirit of self-sacrifice, generosity and the elimination of self-centredness. Taoist Tai Chi is meant to be taught and practised in a spirit of compassion and service to others.
Distinguishing Features of Taoist Tai Chi
Promotion of health has been set as the goal of Taoist Tai Chi by its founder, Master Moy Lin-shin. The sole measure of quality in Taoist Tai Chi is whether or not a movement is beneficial to health.
Although there are specific differences in movement which distinguish Taoist Tai Chi from other styles of Tai Chi, the main differences go well beyond the mere visual aspect. The goal of practising Taoist Tai Chi lies not in perfecting external forms or achieving self-defence skills, but the recovery of lost health in the holistic sense.
The perfect form is one that will maximise the physiological benefit to the practitioner given his or her condition, rather than the one which conforms to some predetermined aesthetic or technical martial arts criteria. It will therefore change with the student.Back to top
Movement Differences
In Taoist Tai Chi, movements originally derived from Yang style Tai Chi Chuan have been deliberately transformed with a view to maximising health benefits in a way that is often inconsistent with the purposes and strategies of self-defence training. The only measurement of quality accepted by Master Moy was whether or not movements are successful in improving health.
For example in Taoist Tai Chi limbs are extended to the fullest extent of their range of motion, providing a stretch for tendons and ligaments throughout the body which is felt to be beneficial for health.
Another example is the emphasis on rising and sitting in Taoist Tai Chi, which helps develop balance and leg strength, and helps the practitioner achieve stretch in the lumbar vertebrae and the tendons and ligaments of the pelvis.
Differences in the training process
In Taoist Tai Chi, there is recognition of the unique strengths and weaknesses of each individual. The training process adapts to each individual and his or her circumstances, which can sometimes lead to great differences in external form.
Master Moy encouraged students to understand this process using concepts of Western physiology, rather than simply aiming to master a fixed set of movements. By means of this understanding students are better able to help themselves and, eventually, others.
Progress is therefore measured in the functional status of the student, including parameters such as coordination, strength, balance, flexibility, breathing, quality of digestion, mental and emotional balance, general sense of well-being and so on.
In Taoist Tai Chi, movements are studied and practised one by one to improve the execution with a view to attaining greater health benefits.
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Differences in Students
There is no better illustration of the therapeutic orientation of Taoist Tai Chi than the fact that many members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society join and remain with the specific intention of using Taoist Tai Chi to help them deal with health problems. At the forefront of these are members affected by conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson's disease, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and heart disease.
At Master Moy's request, the Society strives to offer Health Recovery classes to to help persons with special health needs. As instructors become able to teach these very challenging classes, more and more members of the community have begun to take advantage of them.
The Taoist Tai Chi Society's consistent focus on teaching seniors and students with special health needs is in keeping with Master Moy's vision of making Taoist Tai Chi and its health benefits available to all.
Back to top'Taming the heart' expresses the spiritual aspect to Taoist Tai Chi training.
In Taoism, physical health is inseparable from attitudes, emotions and perspectives. As a result, Master Moy has always placed emphasis on the development of an attitude of calm and compassion both during practice and in daily life.
This not only allows students to deal with stress more effectively, but can have a potent effect on physical health as well. For example, psychological states are now commonly recognized to have an effect on such conditions as hypertension and certain other heart conditions.
Master Moy taught that the way to tame the heart is through selfless service and dedication. For this reason, there is great emphasis on volunteerism within the Taoist Tai Chi Society, not only as a way to accomplish tasks of the moment, but as a method of training as integral to the development of good health as any physical exercise.
The fast-paced yet sedentary nature of modern life often results in stress and lack of sufficient physical activity. Many thousands of individuals have found the massage-like movements of Taoist Tai Chi to be an effective therapy for a wide range of health problems, including poor circulation, headaches, high blood pressure, arthritis, back pain, breathing difficulties, digestive and nervous disorders, to name but a few.
Taoist Tai Chi has an extra degree of stretching and turning in each movement, placing the emphasis on health improvement. With diligent practice, this type of movement produces a profound effect on all systems of the body by reducing tension, improving circulation, and increasing strength and flexibility.
By restoring proper circulation and relieving tension in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, Taoist Tai Chi helps optimise the functioning of the body, restoring health and maintaining the proper functioning of all systems, organs and tissues.
In time, Taoist Tai Chi becomes an internal art that penetrates deeper than just the muscles, to benefit the entire
Medical evidence for the health benefits
The health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi and other forms of Tai Chi Chuan are numerous and well documented. A review of medical literature conducted by the Taoist Tai Chi Society's Medical Advisers found documented evidence for the following effects of regular Tai Chi practice:
· Tai Chi is a moderate cardiovascular training exercise, which also has a significant effect on lung function.
· Tai Chi can beneficially alter the lipid profile, raising the possibility that practising Tai Chi might be favourable in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
· Tai Chi is one of the few exercises that is appropriate for virtually any person regardless of their condition - it can even be done in a chair or bed. It has also been shown to improve the activities of daily living for people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis - to name a few.
· Tai Chi helps regulate the immune system.
· Tai Chi helps postural alignment and helps reduce spinal degeneration.
· Tai Chi is a weight bearing exercise, which raises the possibility of benefits for maintaining bone density.
· Tai Chi is rated as a highly effective exercise for prevention of falls in the elderly.
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