the practice — Tai Chi Chuan is translated as ‘The Supreme Ultimate Force.’ Originally derived from the martial arts, Tai Chi aims to foster the movement of Chi (the vital force) within the body. Tai Chi – itself a soft internal style of QiGong – has many forms, each of which consist of a sequence of movements. These movements are performed slowly, gracefully and softly with smooth and even transitions between them.
the experience — My first conscious experience of energy cultivation was at age 12 while practicing Shaolin Kung Fu, a martial art made famous in America in the early 1970s through the television series Kung Fu. Even then, my training forms started and finished with a sacred gesture of gathering life energy (chi). The idea that I could not only cultivate but also manage and regulate my life-force (chi) struck me as magical.
After practicing Kung Fu for many years, I was invited to a master class in “push hands,” a two-person interactive energy practice from the art of Tai Chi. The object of push hands is to uproot your opponent and knock him out of a circle; in the rough version stepping, tripping, pushing and pulling are all fair game. As a 23-year-old black belt in the best shape of my life thus far, I thought victory would be mine. Instead I was shocked and appalled at the ease in which the teacher Don Miller (18 years my senior) tossed me around like a rag doll, all the while laughing and cracking jokes.
That evening I received a phone call from Don asking if I would like to learn. Without hesitation I replied, “When and where?”
That first year of my Tai Chi practice I trained with Don between four and 12 hours a day, six days a week, practicing form, QiGong (energy cultivation), application, meditation, visualization, Taoist breathing exercises, sparring and, of course, push hands. (My only breaks were for large portions of Thai, Indian and Chinese food.)
I progressed quickly and became Don’s training partner and assistant. Through Don I was introduced to Gu Hemming, a master teacher. He appeared youthful, genuinely happy, strong, flexible and psychologically balanced. Gu Hamming took me deeper into the internal world through standing meditation. He suggested that I stand regularly 30-90 minutes at a time; eventually through a lot of shaking, sweat, laughter and tears I was able to accomplish this feat.
My body and mind became stronger and I began to release anxiety, tension and fear. Receiving these gifts, my life was becoming more complete. I began to cultivate more energy especially in my hands, which I was able to use immediately for healing practices. I was becoming more intuitive and beginning to experience the real power of Tai Chi beyond the martial practices. It was becoming a way of life.
It was then my good fortune to meet another great internal player, a Grand Master who called himself simply “Uncle Bill” or “Uncle.” Uncle can heal others with his hands. I have seen him recover in a week from a wound that needs 17 sutures. While he can break coconuts with his bare hands, more impressive is his gentleness, love and kindness.
My latest teacher is Master Duan Zi Liang, an 88-year-old man who was born in China’s famous Forbidden City. Duan comes from a long line of healers and martial artists; his grandfather was the last Emperor of China’s personal physician and bodyguard. I studied privately for 80 hours with Master Duan in China. I felt him heal my back with a single needle. When I asked him how he does the healing he said, “My patients need love, then they heal.”
These are the gifts of Tai Chi Chuan: a deep connection to the earth and to nature, a strong radiant body, a bright spirit, release of anxiety and fear, falling in love with the practice and with energy and to be made whole again.
Master Zi who practices classical Yang style and Secret Yang, as taught by Grand Master Julius Baker and Grand Master Tayari Casel. Reach him at Shakti’s Elements. 717 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 576 - 2008
Matthew Raymond Cohen, who teaches Tai Chi, QiGong & Yoga at his Sacred Energy Arts Center. 220 Pier Ave, Santa Monica, CA. 90405. (310) 403 - 3124, SacredEnergyArts.com
Photos by Adam Latham, angeladam.com
