Health and well-being can be achieved only

 by remaining centred with one’s spirit,

Guarding against squandering one’s energy,

Maintaining the constant flow of one’s chi and blood,

 and nourishing one’s self preventatively.

 This is the way to a long and happy life.

Huang Di, The Yellow Emperor

ecause Tai Chi is rooted in Eastern philosophy, one needs to gain a better understanding of its principles. Firstly, the ancient Chinese had a very different idea of man’s relationship to the world around him. They saw the human being as a microcosm that was permeated by the same forces as the macrocosm. They believed they were part of a wholeness which they called the Tao. This meant that they did not separate mind from body or man from nature. With this theory as their reference point, they believed that if man remained in harmony with nature he would also remain healthy. 

The legendary Yellow Emperor, Huang Di, wrote a medical classic in the second century BC, the ‘Nei Jing’, which explains his idea of the correct attitude toward health: “Maintaining order rather than correcting disorder is the ultimate principle of wisdom. To cure disease after it has appeared is like digging a well when one already feels thirsty or forging weapons after the war has already begun….The sages do not treat those who have already fallen ill, but rather those who are not yet ill.”

The Yellow Emperor likened the body to a kingdom and explained it thus: “The entire body functions as a single entity, much like a kingdom where from the emperor down to the manager of the warehouse, each has a job to fulfil in order to make the state prosperous.”

However, not even in China were these ideas practised by all, for at about the same time, a Chinese health minister complained: “These days, people have changed their way of life. They drink wine as though it were water, indulge excessively in destructive activities and deplete their ‘chi’. They do not know the secret of conserving their energy and vitality. Seeking emotional excitement and momentary pleasures, people disregard the natural rhythm and order of the universe. They fail to regulate their lifestyle and diet, and sleep improperly. So it is not surprising that they look old at 50 and die soon after.”

Nothing much has changed since then. The fast pace of modern life has resulted in a staggering number of people being stressed. (According to a 2007 Washington Post survey, 54% of Americans were concerned about the levels of stress in their daily lives.) This is one of the major causes of illness. Although everyone desires to preserve their health, disease seems to creep up on them at some time in their life and they don’t know how to counteract it. However, if one is tuned in to the subtle imbalances that occur in one’s body, manifesting at first as discomfort and later as pain, it is possible to take preventative measures to avoid something serious from developing.  

Of the many factors involved in keeping sickness at bay, correct and regular exercise is probably the most important. This is because all the organs and systems in the body require stimulation, but especially the blood circulation and the lymphatic system. These are not only responsible for supplying every cell with nutriments, but also for transporting all waste materials away from them.

It is the tendency in the west that when one feels as if they are getting a cold or the flu, they take to their beds. According to Dr Lin this is not the ideal procedure. He has always emphasised to his students that they should rather practise Tai Chi for a short while each day and it will help them to get better.

Remaining flexibility is also extremely important. This applies especially to the leg muscles. Very few people are aware of the importance of, and relationship between, the leg and the heart muscles. According to Chinese medical theory, the heart pumps according to whether the leg muscles are relaxed or tense. If the leg muscles are weak, the heart muscles will also be weak. Thus, if we fail to keep the leg muscles elastic, the heart muscles will also lose their elasticity. Since Tai Chi is practised in the semi-crouch position, it ensures that the leg muscles become strong and supple.

Western doctors have in the meantime acquired a better understanding of this relationship between the heart and leg muscles. In 2009 Professor Iris Baumgartner of the University Hospital in Berne visited South Africa for a heart symposium. Among others she stated: “One of the most ignored early warning signs of heart disease is pain in the legs and calves while walking. It is amazing how many people ignore these pains, putting it down to age or over-exertion, because when they stop walking, the pain goes away, so they think no more of it.”

Since the 1980s much scientific research has been done on Tai Chi, and many of its benefits have been confirmed. It has been observed that the blood circulation is stimulated through the twisting actions the various Tai Chi moves require. (Marleen experienced this phenomenon, as it was her blood circulation that improved first when she began her Tai Chi training with Dr Lin.)

There is no greater happiness than freedom from worry,

and there is no greater wealth than contentment.

Lao Tsu

tress is so prevalent in our modern times that it is important to take a closer look at its effects and how Tai Chi can help to alleviate this problem. Modern research has demonstrated quite conclusively that there is a connection between stress and illness. Evidence is increasing as to the number of ailments and diseases that result from chronic stress.

So how exactly does stress affect the body? When it accumulates with very little or no relief, a chronic stress pattern develops and you put your entire well-being at risk: besides putting your health at risk, it wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium. It even narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively and enjoy life. Some of the consequences are high blood pressure, ulcers, increased susceptibility to infections, and heart disease. In addition, stress significantly reduces memory, concentration and learning. Tests have shown that people who suffer from stress lose up to 50% of their performance. 

The two commonest psychological effects of stress are anxiety and depression. But it is not obvious to many people that stress is the root cause of these afflictions, so they try anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drugs. But this is a rocky road to travel, for the question arises: do these drugs actually help the problem, and how do they affect the brain’s neurochemistry in the long-term? If one examines the potential side effects of well-known anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs, it is quite alarming to discover that a possible side effect of an anti-depressant drug is anxiety, and that of anti-anxiety pills is depression!

According to Dr Lin taking sleeping tablets in an attempt to alleviate stress is also not advisable. The reason being that these tablets take over tasks the body normally performs. They desensitise the body’s feedback mechanisms and create disharmony.

The question now arises: “How does Tai Chi alleviate stress?” The principle that Cheng Man-Ching always emphasised in his classes was that students must “relax, relax, relax”. Because of this emphasis on relaxation and concentration, the practitioner’s movements become smooth while the breathing remains quiet; this assists the muscles and all internal organs to work in harmony. If one can maintain this relaxed way of doing everything throughout the day, the body’s innate healing capacity encourages the central nervous system to function efficiently, all the internal organs are thus strengthened and a healing follows.

The old masters always emphasised the stress-relieving effects of Tai Chi, but is there any scientific proof of these contentions? Since the 1980s more and more research has been conducted in the west concerning its health benefits, largely confirming the old masters’ claims.

Two different research projects concerning stress are of interest. In 2001, Professor T Esch of Coburg University, Germany conducted a pilot study in which it was demonstrated that Tai Chi training reduces stress significantly.

The second one in 2004 at the Georgia State University in America was entitled the “Effects of Tai Chi exercise on physical and mental health of college students”. The team concluded that Tai Chi had positive effects on the students’ mental health and suggested that colleges and universities consider including Tai Chi in their physical programs.

Tests conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Centre have demonstrated that Tai Chi has three major components that help combat stress: these are movement, meditation and deep breathing.

Movement: Even though Tai Chi is done very slowly, all the body’s muscles and joints are involved. Therefore, it improves agility, balance, coordination, flexibility, muscle tone, stamina and strength. Research done in America has suggested that the practice of Tai Chi can strengthen bones and slow down osteoporosis.

Meditation: Since Tai Chi is performed with total concentration and at a slow pace, it has been called a moving meditation.

Deep breathing into the lower abdomen in a relaxed manner enables toxins to be released from the lungs and also increases their capacity to inhale fresh air. This also assists in releasing tension, enhances blood circulation to the brain and therefore increases mental awareness.

hildren also experience stress, especially due to the pressure to perform at school. Since about 2000 several primary schools in Britain have found that daily Tai Chi/Chi Gong exercises have provided not only physical benefits, but also had a beneficial effect on the children’s mental abilities. Pupils have been markedly calmer and more focused after regular practice. In the classroom their behaviour and concentration have improved and they have shown better results in their exams.

Tai Chi really quietens children down and it is particularly helpful after a busy weekend as it settles them for the week ahead, and thus creates a better atmosphere in the school.

In 2005, The Journal of Paediatric Health Care reported on a five-week research program in a Boston Public School: “Tai Chi and mindfulness-based stress reduction”. Statements made by the boys and girls suggested that they experienced “well being, calmness, relaxation, improved sleep, less reactivity, increased self-care, self-awareness, and a sense of interconnection or interdependence with nature”. 

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