What exactly is Tai Chi?

First of all it's not Tai Chi, there is no "Chi" in Taiji! Taijiquan (Tie-Jee-Chuan, translated as Supreme Ultimate Fighting) is a martial art from China that dates back to antiquity. It is said that it was first conceived by watching a crane and snake fight in the wild.

What's with all this Qi (Chi)?

Qi or Universal Life Force as it is sometimes described is known as a Yang substance that warms, invigorates, moves and vitalizes all sentient beings. Yang substances are known to be intangible or immaterial versus their Yin counterparts. Blood, as we discussed last month, is a Yin substance as it has a material basis: ie.

About that Yin/Yang Thing...

Yin-Yang theory developed many thousands of years ago in China and has been a mainstay of Chinese thought and culture ever since. In a nutshell, Yin-Yang represents the duality of all things in the natural world. The theory can be used to describe and philosophize on everything since the Big Bang.

Anger Management

I was drawn to her immediately. Her presence loving and her story real. You could just feel it. No surprise then when she told me she was from Detroit. It doesn't get more real than that.

Yield without giving up your root

Taijiquan ("Tai Chi") is translated as "Supreme Ultimate Fighting" and for good reason I believe. It has a long revered heritage originally said to have arisen from watching a crane and snake fight and has survived the millenia by adapting and diversifying to today's more esoteric and health promoting aspects.

Make it beautiful

"Begin with the end in mind" is a mantra I borrow from one of my heros and author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey. What end do you have in mind? It's a big question and needs refinement, but first let's answer the big one...

Shame on you, Pride.

Pride is defined as is an elated feeling of accomplishment derived from one's own acheivement or group identity. It comes from the old english 'pryde' which translates most closely with "excessive self-esteem". In today's english, it is more closely associated with self-confidence and public admiration. Like all things, there are two sides to every story.

Communication Spirals

It can be said that language shapes culture just as culture shapes language and I would argue that our culture needs some shaping and that maybe our use of language can help.

Mind Over Matter?

Yes it's true, but Matter matters too! - Over time I become increasingly aware that the "negative" manifestations in our lives are due if not mostly, then significantly to the well-being of our physical bodies.

For more... 

Other-word-ly

by Adam Shapiro