In traditional eastern philosophy this phenomenon can be explained by the mind having two aspects, the intellectual mind and the emotional mind. When the emotional mind is in control logic and reason are lost and self gratification is the main objective. Self gratification has become the driving force that motivates and dictates behavior in spite of the intellectual mind telling it that this activity is harmful and bad. The emotional mind seeks only to be pacified and gratified. Of course there are numerous factors that play a role in limiting the emotional mind, social mores, laws and acceptable social behavior of your peers all playa major role in a person's actions. The point is not to separate human behavior into two distinct categories because human behavior is never that precise. The point is that the mind must be clear and focused in order for the body to be healthy and strong. The mind must be open and clear so that the inner energy and the spirit can manifest themselves into total harmony. When the mind, body and spirit are in harmony then the electrical impulses from the brain have unobstructed access to the organs and body channels. That is how Tai Chi movement creates good health, it allows the blood to flow free to the smallest capillaries, it allows the organs to perform their task and it allows the ligaments and muscles to become strong. It is the interaction and unity of these three elements that create a healthy and strong individual. When one practices Tai Chi movement with a clear and focused mind the entire body is rejuvenated and invigorated; that is why "Tai Chi" translates to "The Grand Ultimate".

Those who practice diligently will soon discover an awareness of their own body, to feel and sense their own body to a point where areas of obstructed chi flow can reveal a medical problem prior to any symptoms, this may sound unbelievable but it is true. In time the practitioner will become so aware of his own body that he will detect physical problems even before they may appear on a X-ray, that is how sensitive and in touch one can become with Tai Chi.

I have stressed the importance of tai chi for good health. One of the key benefits of tai chi is not only longevity and strength. Tai chi is also a serious martial art, in fact, an ancient and established martial art. Each tai chi movement has a martial art application. On the surface tai chi may appear to be a quite, passive and pleasurable experience, which it is, however, each movement has the capability of doing serious bodily harm. At "Wu Tang" we practice and teach traditional Yang Style Tai Chi. This form consists of thirty two movements and is basically one sided. Simply put, traditional tai chi when applied correctly is one of the highest form of martial art.

In order to implement the tai chi form into sparring or fighting one must have a clear and disciplined mind. Figure 1 below represents the condition of the body when the mind, body and breath are out of sync. That is the condition that will lead to illness and even insanity. Through careful conditioning that only tai chi can provide those factors can be brought into correlation. When your mind is clear you become more patient, objective and tolerant. A clear mind generates openness of thought and is receptive to learning, it assesses and evaluates information more quickly and responds with that same quick response. The best example is that of a wild animal, a tiger for example, its body will remain loose and limp until it is ready to strike. At that moment it projects the full force of all of its chi power and strength, this is done with a clear and focused mind, a mind empty of intellect or emotion, a mind set solely on purpose, that is functioning tai chi.

Of course, better understanding of one's self brings better understanding of others. You will seldom see an aggressive tai chi practitioner, they will be tolerant and objective and will avoid confrontation as much as possible. This knowledge of knowing one's self will lead to being more tolerant with parents, siblings, business associates and friends. Sun Tzu's "Art of War" states: know yourself, know your enemy you will win one hundred of one hundred battles".

Tai chi helps us get in touch with ourselves. For the novice that experience may be physical stress on the legs and torso, or a lack of concentration, poor coordination and lack of stability. With practice stability increases proportionately and with improved stability comes greater confidence and focus. With diligent practice less effort is needed resulting in clarity of thought and improved concentration. The mind, body meld is a totally invigorating experience, similar to waking from a good nights sleep. Tai chi movement is the force that creates that mind body meld. At first we can feel stress in our arms, legs, hearth and lungs because each is acting independently and not in sync with each other. In time the progression of the movement will combine breathing in conjunction with the other body parts so that the whole is like an orchestra in complete tune and harmony.

Breathing, torso, hand and leg movement act and re-act upon each other, does this sound familiar, the YING/YANG principle. We inhale, we exhale, we move down, we move up, the balance of opposites is demonstrated and implemented. Yin is usually "in",

Yang is usually "out". We can say that the balance of opposites is the true meaning of tai chi. The practitioner moves in and out, torso turning and twisting, arms and legs pushing and pulling, yin /yang. But one must remember that nothing is ever all yin or all yang. Yin approaches yang, then yang approaches yin, day approaches night, night approaches day. One of the best examples of yin/yang and its role in nature is to witness a thunder storm, the earth which is yin contains to much energy , yang. The sky which is yang contains too much yin the result is lighting, extracting one and balancing the other until there is unity and harmony and the dancing lighting bolts surrender to calm. The origin of yin is also the origin of yang, you cannot have one without the other each is totally dependent upon the other. The concept is re-affirmed in tai chi movement the existence of one movement originates the existence of the next.

Just as breathing is the source of life it is also the source of Chi energy .Breathing is the primary function of tai chi movement, it is the fuel that feeds the engine. If the engine is in harmony with the fuel flow then we have a smooth running engine. The goal of tai chi is to integrate three elements, breathing, movement and mind. When these three elements are synchronized there is physical and mental harmony. That mental and physical state allows the body to repair and make adjustments to facilitate unobstructed chi flow. If the chi can flow freely then good health will prevail. The good health referred to is not simply feeling good, it is the body repairing itself, supplying nutrients where needed, replacing damaged or impaired cells and oxygenating the blood. When all these factors are in place the body functions smoothly the mind, body and breath form a union of one, a total entity without thought, an entity floating in space, figure 2 represents that sense of synchronization.

The novice beginning tai chi study will have movements similar to those expressed in fig. 1. There will be a disharmony between his breathing, body movements and concentration. The mind will wonder, legs will be weak and stressed and the movements usually out of sync with the breathing. When this occurs the movements will be rough, strained and awkward. Everyone is different and improvement will depend on the individual, generally, it takes about six months before one feels comfortable with their practice. With practice movements become graceful and fluid. That gracefulness is reflected in one's daily activities, a fluidity revealed when less effort is needed to coup with every day situations.

The culmination of tai chi practice results in good health and a clear state ofmind. In figure 2 that state of mind is represented by a straight, horizontal line, a state of thought without thought. Thought without thought means a clear mind, uncluttered. We have all heard the term "mind, body and spirit." A clear mind is a mind that can comprehend and assimilate faster than ordinary people. The body will become stronger because of leg and torso development and improvement. All the organs will function with less effort and stress. As these factors take place one's spirit will come to light. It is at this stage of learning that the spirit is just beginning to reveal itself. When the body and mind are made whole one's spirit is not inhibited or restricted by outside influences that prevent it from surfacing.

COMMENT: Tai chi practice is moving meditation. That movement will build strength, that is the basis of longevity and health. Always remember to relax and breath naturally. Sun Tzu says: " The best way to win a war is to win it without fighting it"