Introduction to Birthing Life T’ai-Chi

Just as everything in nature is born into natural cycles—sprouting seeds, gathering thunderclouds, igniting stars—through T’ai-Chi we experience how our bodies move within natural cycles of motion. T’ai-Chi also invites us to release movement pattens that work against our body’s natural motion.

During T’ai-Chi practice we move awareness inside our bodies and perceive the difference between strained movement and movement that flows with ease. As we let go of habitual movement patterns we open to authentic, unconditioned movement and the wild presence of chi inside and around our bodies. The feeling of chi is personal to each of us, but often feels like a tingle, buzzing or warmth. T’ai-Chi movements cultivate chi flow and the ability to feel chi which helps us deepen relaxation and follow the natural motion of our bodies.

T’ai-Chi invites us to center awareness in the dan t’ian—lower abdomen just below the navel. Moving our bodies from the center offers leverage to release the most power with the least amount of effort by accessing the birthing quality of movement. Like the hatching of a delicate hummingbird or wind moving through tall prairie grasses, movements in T’ai-Chi originate from the center of the body and flow outward through the arms and legs. As the martial artist yields to this inner motion, chi releases into powerful blocks, strikes and kicks.

As we move from the center and feel chi flow, we experience the complementary and interdependent yin and yang aspects of movement. For example, feeling one leg filling as the other leg empties or feeling the breath filling fully and then turning to emptying. Experiencing yin and yang while practicing T’ai-Chi helps us sense the interconnected motion of everything inside and around us. T’ai-Chi movements open doors to new ways of moving which can stabilize balance, improve coordination and support brain plasticity. Research has identified several positive health effects related to T’ai-Chi and how it can help treat or prevent many health problems.

And while T’ai-Chi can be challenging, the effects are often described as lightening and uplifting. The subtle feelings of motion and chi flow can offer profound insight. One of our students once said she experiences a “waft of the divine” while practicing T’ai-Chi. Another student often reminds us during class with a smile, “This is all sort of magical.”