Tai Chi Chih ® Joy thru Movement
by Sheila Leonard, PBVM, Accredited T’ai Chi Chih Teacher Tai Chi Chih differs from the more familiar T’ai Chi forms with their 108 moves and full range of joint/muscle movement. With Tai Chi Chih’s 19 gentle, repetitive moves and one closing pose, the spine remains straight, shoulders relaxed, with no leaning or twisting, and with gentle flexing and extending rather than stretching. With little stress on muscles or joints, the softness helps strengthen both. Balance and co-ordination are greatly enhanced but not required. 
I see T’ai Chi Chih® Joy thru Movement (pronounced Tie Chee Chuh) as a way of doing something to help
yourself feel better while simply drawing on your own natural resources. Its gentle, repetitive moves help
stimulate, circulate and balance the flow of Chi, the natural energy in our bodies, the repetitions aiding the
remembering.
Circulating and balancing the Chi, says Justin Stone, the originator of the T’ai Chi Chih form,
is one of the great secrets of life, resulting in inner serenity, good health and vitality.
T’ai Chi Chih is becoming more popular with people seeking healthier living. The non-strenuous, relaxing moves are suited to all ages and can be done seated or standing, with great benefits from doing even 15- 20 minutes a day. As an accredited T'ai Chi Chih teacher since 2003, my students, including some using wheelchairs, have ranged in age from nine to one hundred! The range of benefits has been just as great. While it’s helped many realize the importance of taking time for oneself, others report having more energy,
being more focused and peaceful, and enjoying improved sleep, regulation of blood pressure, lessening of
arthritic symptoms, and an improved immune system…and much more, including MORE JOY AND GRATITUDE
amidst life’s continuing challenges and its delights!
Justin Stone, now 95, refers to T’ai Chi Chih as “a moving meditation” and “the effort of no effort”. He
suggests that Tai Chi Chih is like massaging your body from the inside out. In contrast to many other forms
of exercise, it focuses on improving body-mind-spirit awareness by “tuning in rather than tuning out”.
One student summed it up by saying, “Doing it just feels good!”In the words of Justin himself, one finds “a
strength far different from muscular strength, a growth in confidence, a belief in ourselves and in our centre
of being.” I certainly say YES to all that!
Once learned, the moves can readily be done on one’s own. Needing only a few feet of space and no special
clothing, the movements can be done almost anywhere. Though easy to do, it is best to first learn them with
an accredited teacher.
Sheila Leonard is an accredited T’ai Chi Chih teacher. Tai Chi Chih® Joy thru Movement back to Articles |
