Newsletter #92 - April 2009

Teaching an on-going Tai Chi for Health class at a recreation centre in southeast Georgia presents unique challenges. Not in terms of the facility. The Rec Centre is well located; just next door to the county’s only high school, this year’s regional football champions. One couldn’t ask for a better location or a better space—padded floor, full stereo sound system, mirrors on two ends and large windows with a delightful view of Georgia pines stretching to the sky. The real challenge here is convincing cliental to join a class.

“It’s too slow.”

“It’s too pretty.”

“I’m too uncoordinated.”

“I get a better workout in the weight room.”

These were just a few of the comments I hear when suggesting they try tai chi. Thinking such responses related to their idea of real exercise—the rough, tumble, knock-em-down American style football—I tried enticing folks with stories like Ralph Dehner’s BUBA definition of “secret Chinese fighting techniques” or Kenneth Cohen’s old Master farting in the park. But one day I realized that people were only seeing the external aspects of Tai Chi, and I needed to revise my approach.

Over the years of teaching Tai Chi for Arthritis, Back Pain and Kidz, I’ve found that the internal power of tai chi manifests itself in so many ways: from the multiple health benefits of abdominal breathing, both in massaging the internal organs and working the deep stabilizing muscles; to the power and stability attained by moving in a relaxed manner; to the softening of facial muscles, releasing of outside pressures, and obtaining greater awareness when opening the joints and allowing chi to flow. 

What I needed to do was to demonstrate this internal power in two or three sentences, and spark curiosity before eyes glazed over and folks walked away.  Remembering that actions speak louder than words, I began to ask inquisitive folks to sit down a minute and take a deep breath.

“What happens?” I ask.

Most tell me that they had to sit up straighter to take that deep breath. Then I guide them through just relaxing and trying the Open and Close movement. After a few minutes I ask, “How does that feel?” Next I suggest they think of a bit of pressure on the backs of their hands as they Open and between their hands as they Close. Again I ask, “How does that feel?” In no time they’re hooked, looking to me to give them another movement and then telling me how they feel.

Yes, there is a lot of internal power in tai chi—and it is best understood through careful examination of what is happening within ourselves as we practice.