Embodiment & Healing: The Heart of Tâ??ai Ji

Tâ??ai Ji is a path of embodied aliveness. It is a journey of discovery, nourishment and revitalization, awakening our spirit to the joy, peace and power available within. Tâ??ai Ji is a way of cultivating our true nature - the harmony of our body, heart and mind. The correct practice of Tai Ji over time leads to deep mental and physical relaxation, profound coordination of mind and body, and liberation of the flow of energy (Qi).

Ongoing Tai Ji classes in Coromandel town

 Mondays at 4:30pm and Thursdays at 10:30 am. For more information call Sol on 07-8668971 or 021893055

Classes and Retreats with Sol

Tai Ji and meditation retreat in spain in june 2008

Tai Ji Movies,Information and Resources at the bottom of this page or on the Resources Page

The Heart of Tai Ji by Sol Petersen

Strength Through Softness â?? the Healing Power of Tâ??ai Ji    Â

 by  Sol Petersen, 2003

There was a quiet strength about the man - a grace in movement and a sense of peace behind his eyes that set him apart. But I only noticed this in passing. To me he was that elderly Chinese gentleman who owned the corner grocery store on 112 Street in Edmonton, Canada where I was attending university. I would have been astounded if I could have known what a profound influence this man would come to have on my life.

His name is Mak Ying Po, 89 years young, and today he still practices and teaches the ancient Chinese art of Tâ??ai Ji. Tâ??ai Ji is both a martial art and a moving meditation leading to strength through softness and a peaceful yet concentrated state of mind.

Mak left China with his family in the late sixties to escape the oppressive Chinese regime. He had a degree in Economics but as he spoke only a few words of English he opted for the financial security of the corner store.

My interest in yoga, dance and meditation led me to Tâ??ai Ji and a friend told me about Mak. I went to his shop and found him behind the till. I said â??I want to learn Tâ??ai Jiâ?? He hardly seemed to look at me but said â?? Kung Fu better for youâ??. While I struggled to come up with an intelligent reply, a customer appeared with an armload full of groceries â?? a temporary reprieve. I had heard that some masters say no two or three times to test the sincerity of the student before finally taking them on. Itâ??s not like attending a class at night school or at the gym. If a master accepts you he will take the responsibility quite seriously. Master Mak said later that it was like the relationship between a father and son - only more important.

The customer left. I asked again. He laughed and repeated â??Kung Fu betterâ??. I was worried. I tried to appear as sincere as possible and asked yet again. He smiled and wrote down the address of his house and a time to come the next evening at 10:30 pm!! At nearly sixty years old, he worked from 7 am til 10 pm and then taught Tâ??ai Ji in his home at 10:30 to private students while his wife and friends played enthusiastic games of mah jong in the kitchen. I still remember his clarity, attention and patience in that first lesson and as an athletic 23 year old it was quite a surprise that this sixty year old could put me off balance with one finger and easily throw me right across the room.

Even now I feel humbled remembering the generosity of his presence. â?Œand especially aware that he always knew at every first lesson that a only tiny percentage of people will ever continue with the demanding art of Tâ??a Ji. Yet he never gave each less than one hundred per cent.
It is now 30 years since my first lesson and I am still surprised at my passion and enthusiasm for the art. I see the purpose as being to awaken the essence of movement and power from within not to simply impose an external discipline.

The words Tâ??ai Ji can be translated as the supreme ultimate but may be more easily understood as harmony. You could say the surfer, the skateboarder, the athelete who finds the groove is in their â??Tâ??ai Jiâ??. The double fish yin/yang circle is actually a symbol for the words Tâ??ai Ji., The form starts with relaxation exercises then a sequence of soft , fluid movements are practiced in slow motion .

You may ask â?? How can this slow motion movement be a martial art? To be able to apply tâ??ai ji in self defence one must also practice with power and speed and learn to yield to force. Usually as people grow older their muscles and joints stiffen and their inner energy decreases. The basic exercises and principles were carefully designed and refined over hundreds of years to counter the effects of age and to create a surplus of energy to ensure physical, psychological and spiritual health.

Says Murray from Coromandel â??After 15 years of practice, at age 73, I still find Tâ??ai Ji beneficial. Paying attention to posture, movement and breathing as a personal discipline in todayâ??s world of blaring distractions is valuable and clarifying. I hope to practice Tâ??ai Ji for many years to come.

â?ŒTâ??ai Ji is a complete exercise system. The attention given to relaxing the muscles supporting the spine helps postural problems. Blood circulation is improved. The internal organs are stimulated, the muscles are nourished and the breath revitalized-.It is an inner art where intention is used to rejuvenate and circulate the chi or energy through the acupuncture meridians of the body.

Dr. Bryan McLeod of the Coromandel Family Health Centre says â??What I like about Tâ??ai Ji for myself is the sense of quiet but I also see real value for people of all ages and those with injuries in the rehabilitation of back pain.â??

In our high speed world that can put us under a lot of stress and take us out of our self Tâ??ai Ji is a refreshing experience of the stillness within.

Tai JI and Related Movies

Cheng Man-Ching Short Form

Master Huang Sheng Shyan push hands video and others