Tai Chi Class Strives to Balance the Mind and Body
BY: CHARLIE HUMPHREY
STAFF WRITER
Since the 17th century, Tai Chi, influenced by Buddhism and Daoism, has been well-known and practiced throughout the world for the benefits it is believed to
bring to the mind and body. Tai Chi originated in China, but eventually spread throughout the world, bringing along its characteristically slow movements.
“Actually there’s a few big influences on Tai Chi. Philosophical influences like Buddhism, being a large part of Chinese culture has its influence. Particularly in some of the approaches to relaxation and abdominal breathing. They call it sometimes Buddhist Breathing,” said Jeffrey Craddock, Meramec Tai Chi instructor.
“We talked about Buddhism being an influence, but Daoism was really also a huge influence on Tai Chi, and most internal martial arts. That’s where we got the Yin and Yang opposites.”
Yin and Yang are symbolic to a Daoist, opposites representing change. According to Craddock, Yang represents rising heavenly energy while Yin depicts Earth grounding energy.
Tai Chi utilizes meditation and other exercises to help refine Chi, said Craddock.
“Others, like Qigong exercises, which are about cultivating Chi, cultivating it and circulating Chi in the body,” said Craddock. “There’s energy that you can feel and that you can see in your body. It’s associated with circulation. It’s associated to different things, but you can definitely experience it.”
With Chi circulation exercises, it is common to feel a connection between the palms, “It would feel like pressure. It might feel like warmth from one hand to another. Sometimes it almost feels like magnets, with hands being repelled as they get closer, or pulled in when they get closer,” said Craddock.
The benefits of Tai Chi consist of relaxation, coordination and concentration. “There’s a couple, a few benefits. One, I think is relaxation. Most people don’t realize how unrelaxed they are. Learning to relax is something that you learn, and you have to have some experience,” said Craddock.
Students are taking Tai Chi for varying reasons, from needing their physical education credits to a yearning to explore martial arts.
“I was looking around for what I could take, and this was something that I realized I would need – a couple P.E. credits if I wanted any sort of degree from this school, and this one sounded interesting to me,” said David O’Neal, a Meramec student.
Photos by Syed Ali
