By Tan Yong Pow  (contact@typtaichi.com)

Tai Chi Chuan exercise emphasises on manipulating of Yi (mind) (1) to cultivate Chi (2), the very essence of life. When Chi circulating inside the body through the meridian pathways co-ordinating with the various Tai Chi postures , the body will exist a kind of energy or strength called Jing (tenacious energy) (3) . Once the practitioner acquires "Jing", then only has the ability to enlighten Tai Chi from health exercise to arts of self-defence .

To incorporate Yi , Chi and Jing in Tai Chi , one has to strictly follow some postural requirement, such as to always standing perpendicularly , to hold the head as if suspended from the top, to depress the chest slightly , to keep the shoulder slumped , to keep both elbows slightly bending(arch) . All these are aiming to induce Chi to be sunk and concentrated at the central of the abdomen Dan Tian . When any movement is executed , the legs should be differentiated into substantial and insubstantial , that is to allow one leg only each time to support body weight. Further more , both hands should co-ordinate with that of the legs to differentiate Ying and Yang , the purpose is to enable the body to be trained and generates Jing.

The using of Yi in Tai Chi is profound . The mind (Yi) should at all the time be calm and concentrates on all the postural movements done with muscle and joints in relaxed manner , with breathing tuned at fine , long , quiet and slow and rhythmically . In fact other senses are also working together with Yi(mind) . Besides , the practitioner should sense the central gravity from the head going down straight through the spine and then to the substantial foot which supporting the body weight .When moving on hands and legs, the practitioner should feel the pressure of the air and the pulling down force of the gravity and also try to listen(feel) the air in and out through nostrils. The eyes should work as the assistant of the mind (Yi) throughout the full round of Tai Chi .

Only when Yi , Chi and Jing harmoniously co-ordinated , then one’s Tai Chi can be considered as complete.

Footnote:

1. Yi , the term use specially in Tai Chi , means the mind that governing the discharging of the movements done smoothly without using any brutal force. Yi also incorporating with senses sight, hearing and touch.
2. Chi , in Chinese believe , Chi is the very essence of life . Not only it is found in the air that we breathe but it is also the vital energy of the body. Inside the body there are a series of pathways or ‘meridians’ that carry this internal Chienergy to an internal organ and feeds the energy system of that organ .
3. Jing , a kind of energy or strength which has elastic nature like spring or wave generated through the training of Tai Chi , it is always described as Tenacious  energy.