I had no idea that really, tai chi (“taijiquan “) is possibly the coolest martial art on the face of planet earth. It’s like kicking butt in slow mo… Could be my overactive imagination but I really did feel the energy moving through my hands… It was like Matrix style stuff… but better!
For 2 hours this week, 52 Firsts had us working with the yin and yang. Barefoot in the grass, warm sun on our faces, cool breeze at our backs, I learned that tai chi may be one of the few things I have tried along the 52 Firsts journey that I may stick with.
I had many preconceived notions about what I thought tai chi was all about. And, I may joke about it projecting me into a sci-fi movie, but turns out tai chi legitimately is really cool stuff. A Chinese internal martial art that is practiced for health and self-defense, it combines strength, grace, flexibility, stillness of mind and presence. Ever on the path to inner peace and fulfillment, it really is meditation in motion, at to that I am drawn. But it isn’t just movement for the sake of movement. There is intent behind each movement. As a martial art and in combat, tai chi is about responding to outside forces; yielding and flowing with an incoming attack rather than attempting to meet it with opposing force. I like that concept. It’s like quiet ferocity. Gentle strength. Wisdom.
Oh, and by the way, it burns more calories than surfing or skiing. So, if you thought it was just for retirees, well… I know, right!?!?
Now, having only spent 2 hours doing it, moving through the 5 basic forms felt more like a free-dance than a deliberate set of combat moves. But Michael, our tai chi in the park master, made sure that we at least learned one form somewhat thoroughly. Now, if you are not a still person keenly interested in the nuances of posture, form and technique, than tai chi may not be for you. You can take my spot booting up the Grind…and I admire and thank you for that. But if you are interested in precision, focus and strength (and repetition!), then read on! Tai chi turns the mere mortal human into bamboo; strong but flexible. Resilient!
There are a few spots to learn tai chi in the city. They are all welcoming to beginners. The Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada is by far the furthest reaching organization. But if you want something a little less formalized, something in the park, something absolutely affordable, than Michael might be your man!
Teaching the Yang style, Michael was originally drawn to tai chi as a teenager through an interest in Eastern philosophy and culture, including daoism. Like so many, he enjoyed physical activity but have never been drawn to team sports. The health benefits, focus, dedication and non-competitive nature really resonated.
Regular classes are held Tuesday evenings at the Dunbar Community Centre (7- 9 pm) and Sunday mornings at Glen Park (9 - 11 am). A special tui shou ("push hands") intensive class will also be offered this summer on Tuesday evenings at the Dunbar Community Centre.
Join anytime! Michael can best be reached through his Facebook page or by email: m_l_blackburn@yahoo.ca
And for those do-it-yourselvers, here are Amazon's top 3 rated DVDs for beginners:
Scott Cole: Discover Tai Chi For Beginners
Yang Tai Chi for Beginners (YMAA Taijiquan) Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
Element: Tai Chi for Beginners
No comments:
Post a Comment