Why Tai Chi

Tai Chi has a long and mysterious past. It’s history and characters make for a good read for those so inclined. However, perhaps the esoteric nature of it has frightened people away? Thankfully not! There has been a great movement in the west to seek out the answers posed by the questions that arise from Tai Chi practise. Western science has even been drafted in to analyse what the majority of the world’s population already hold to be true. Tai Chi has been part of the Chinese culture for centuries and luckily for us has been documented for the past five or so. Recent developments have seen some of the finest minds of Western Medicinal Science turn their attentions to old documents, with the goal of finding out exactly what is expressed in the teachings of Past Masters. One of the fundamentals inherent in all styles of Tai Chi is the idea of the  energy system at work within the human body. The Meridian system; known as Jingluo in Chinese Medicine, plays a vital part in both the regenerative and destructive methods of Tai Chi. In the west it’s most commonly associated with the mysterious “Death Touch” portrayed in numerous bad kung fu movies but also  many people are aware of the benefits of acupuncture, acupressure and traditional massage (Tui Na). What perhaps they don’t recognise is that these two things are one and the same. Western Science has taken bold steps and spent lots of money to prove something that was already being experienced in the eastern cultures. I quote just one of many studies:

“A CT (computerized tomography) scan is a series of X-rays used to create cross-sectional images. In this study published in the Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, researchers used in-line phase contrast CT imaging with synchrotron radiation on both non-acupuncture points and acupuncture points. The CT scans revealed clear distinctions between the non-acupuncture point and acupuncture point anatomical structures.”

What they conclude was this :

“Acupuncture points have a higher density of microvessels and contain a large amount of involuted microvascular structures. The non-acupuncture points did not exhibit these properties.”

What does it mean?

Microvessels are the smallest blood vessels in the body that allow and promote the circulation of blood around the body. We know that without this process there can be no life. What we refer to as Qi (or Chi) in Tai Chi is, in simple terms life or vitality. Effectively what western science has achieved through CT and MRI scans is the mapping of the meridian system. Further Studies of the Fasciae (the connective tissue structure around the muscle) is under way and the awaiting results are equally interesting to both the Tai Chi community and the scientific community.

There has been a huge increase in numbers seeking alternative treatments throughout Europe and America and some are even lucky enough to be prescribed Tai Chi by the NHS!  It does make me ask what do we mean by “alternative treatment?” Bearing in mind that it was Western Medical Science that came second to the methods practised in the East for hundreds of years. Slowly we are realising the connection between energy cultivation and balanced living. The published documentation of health benefits from Tai Chi is vast and easily accessed. I’m not really one for reading about things though! If in fact you wish to learn something the best thing to do is to put the book down and begin training. We can believe anything, but the moment we experience something it no longer needs to be a belief. It becomes a truth. Tai Chi is a truth that I will happily share with anyone. I will let you experience what it feels like to have your energy system temporarily disabled and I will let you feel what it’s like to have your energy system work overtime. Both experiences are distinct and unquestionably real, not only that they are easily achieved through practise and that for me is what it is all about!