A Translation of Tai Chi – The Universe ( Ji Quan )

On the 25th May 1989 Loo-Chi gave a talk to students entitled A Translation of Tai Chi – The Universe ( Ji Quan )

Straight line ? – there is no such thing – It is part of a circle. Tai Chi = Whole Circle

Everything has its opposite – positive / negative. Chinese always look for balance. Tai Chi Chuan is a healthy exercise of very slow movements, mind relaxation and defensive technique – recreational – avoids fighting as in other martial arts. The circle is always changing, nothing is constant = everything changing, one thing constant is change itself.

Chi not understood by Westerners, What is Chi ? – my hypothesis on Chi is that everything is from electricity, that life is a solid state of electricity ( or soul )  Tan Tien is the storage of energy. Our body function is controlled by brain – If not relaxed, it won’t function properly.

The computer operates on the same principle.. Tai Chi is a soft way, not hard, it does’nt seek to win. To fight and win, you lose because opponent seeks revenge. Revenge Kills

Soft Tai Chi is exercise, but non competitive which leads to win syndrome. Can overdo hard exercise. The soft way of Tai Chi is slow and gentle, inner energy is contained, creative energy is more than generated energy, it stores energy.

Hard energy sports stop a person aged about 38 years. Soft energy improves and improves through to 100 years. Tai Chi Master, 80 very strong – cannot be pushed away = Chi ( or energy ) similar to electricity. Chi runs more strong after ” playing the Form ” – flows easily, thus resists bacteria and viruses. Myself ( Loo) in 1941 was weak with high acidity. After three months practice of the Form  acid level dropped. Long term exercise is very slow. Loo’s younger brother by two years, did weight lifting – eventually he developed Parkinson’s disease.

The practice of Tai Chi avoids injury, remains relaxed – not frightened or panic over lifes circumstances, thus reacts faster.

Muscle Strength

Muscle only does the work. Inner organs are strengthened. High blood pressure means there is not enough adrenaline. Tai Chi inner organs move and are strengthened. Tai Chi restores normal body functions.

In the civilised Western world everything is speed – time is money, materialism competes with other people. Pressure, cannot relax really. Tension causes holding of breath. The Tai Chi attitude is acceptance – accept what you have, contentment, simple life style, natural way, financial balance, – income and expenditure balance. The centre of gravity is balance. With energy balance body resistance is less to electric current. The lowest resistance point is acupuncture point where sickness is overcome.

Understand your body – any part of body injured or diseased can be overcome. Disease is a blockage. Tai Chi unblocks blocks, encourages body repair by body’s healing system. Many people fear death. Death – only part of life. Accept nature, fear nothing. Our body is electric system – test yourself, a crystal turns only left or right. Nothing between clockwise / anti clockwise, nothing wrong or right – clockwise – anticlockwise is bio-field magnetism.

Tai Chi restores order to every cell through relaxation and movement. Self defense – go with the force, never against it. It need a few years practice to overcome the attitude of against the force as in self defense. Practice until it becomes instant reflex action – not to have to think. Tai Chi Master ( 80 years ) absorbs cosmic energy then transits it out – ten years exercise. How to become a Master, Yourself is the only judge. Master can transmit power.

Method of Teaching – passive, not force to learn. If student loses interest then bye bye. Pupil follows half an hour interest. Must practice every day. It is the only way to learn and build up memory of movements. To learn the Form – average person one month – three months – for health reasons. Joints become very flexible. Practice, then leave the rest to nature. Cannot be forced. Loo’s classes – age group of most between 20 – 40 , oldest person is  aged 75. Start in any state, even if you can’t stand up, Practice on the bed, gradually you will strengthen. DO NOT GIVE UP.

History – The name has been Tai Chi for 400 years. Two thousand years ago the exercise was called the ‘‘Long Form”. Very popular in the United States. Medical people realise the benefits of physical exercise. Suitable for children, good to start before the age of ten. For the beginning Tai Chi works for self defense’

Most older people in China do meditation with movement. Stand firm – nothing wrong or right. Wobble not good, Get  stable body – First control the body then control the mind and lastly control the spirit.

Copied from an early Association Newsletter By Mike Penter, Executive Committee Member, 21 July 2023