| |
| Lee Style T'ai Chi |
| as taught by Grandmaster Chee Soo |
| |
| T'ai Chi has been practiced
in China for thousands of years. Ancient Taoists understood that man should
not be in conflict with nature but in harmony with it. Being sensitive to
their environment, they undestood how the seasons, the planets, day and
night and the food they eat would affect their lives. By observing these
natural processes and also by observing animals, these Taoists became more aware of
themselves. Being sensitive to their
bodies they understood when to work, when to rest, which foods were benficial
and which were harmful. They practised breathing exercises, Taoist yoga
and T'ai Chi to cultivate the energy of life (ch'i). |
| The Lee Style of T'ai Chi has
its roots in Taoism and the exercises performed demonstrate this philosphy in
practise, which is much more effective way to learn then through academic learning.
Much like driving a car, you can discuss the principles, read books and watch other
people do it, but until you sit behind the wheel and try, you will never be able to drive.
Today Taoism is often
described as a philosphy or sometimes a religion, but far from being a set
of rules or abstract ideas which have little relevance to our day to day
life, Taoism can be applied with great success both in and out of a T'ai
Chi class. By 'going with the flow' instead of 'battling the world', many
of the obstacles commonly encountered in life can be avoided. Those that
cannot be avoided can be handled in a much less stressful manner. These principles
were passed down from parents to their children to help them be
healthy, happy and live their lives in harmony with the Tao. |
| The
Lee family style has remained within the Lee family for centuries and
it is only in the last 50 years or so that it has passed outside the
family. Due to increased communication between cultures, the west
has been introduced to many foreign ideas. In particular, many
have found India and China's cultural history to be of great
interest. Accupuncture has gained great fame in recent times due
to demonstrations of techniques which baffle western doctors such
as performing surgery using accupuncture as the only anaesthetic.
T'ai Chi has also gained popularity again due to increased
recognition of its health benefits by western science. While western
activities are generally focussed on external benefits, such as building large
muscles, T'ai Chi focusses on the internal, building up strength from the inside. |
