Slow Motion of Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan, literally meaning “Grand Ultimate Fist,” is one of the most sophisticated Chinese fighting arts. It is a masterpiece of neurophysiology as the brain connects with the fighting devices of the fingers and the toes for punches and kicks. The desire force of Yi毅(力) in the brain amplifies the energy cell of Qi氣in the fingers and toes fingers and toes through the channel “Spleen 21” that is animating into an action. The interrelationship of these invisible elements - the brain Yi developing the Qi in the fingers and toes to create the desired moves - is the result of the slow movements.

It is the objective of martial artists to have the ability of quick central nervous system reactions. Their punches and kicks are undertaken directly by the brain awareness. When this awareness awakens, action is delivered by the remote nervous system components of fingers and toes. Synchronizing the awareness of the brain, fingers and toes is the central purpose of this Tai Chi Chuan practice.

The slow-motion of Tai Chi Chuan practice is like Bluetooth pairing the connection of the fingers and the toes with the control center of the nervous system. Once it’s paired, the practitioner’s brain, fingers and toes work as an inseparable unity: any emotion and intention in the conscious brain is instantly transmitted into the physical action of the fingers and toes without any delay. This is of utmost importance for martial artists when they are engaged in fighting.

The quick transmission of a neuro-reflex into physical action is essential for the martial artist, with the implication that he or she can deliver the punches and kicks within a split second. It is like the specialized ability of the courtroom stenographer, whose fingers type as people speak. This neural and physical connection is a necessary function of all human beings, which enables them to accomplish our daily activities more effectively and quickly, whether we work at home or have a job in an office.

In today's rapidly changing world, left hemisphere brain functioning is no longer enough. Today’s invention is tomorrow’s history, and by the day after tomorrow, it’s ancient history. The work of the future of Tai Chi Chuan players will require creative and intuitive thinking as well as physical action. Any successful any individual can and must learn how to use a fully functional brain integrated with the power of emotional and physical cooperation.

For the past 50 to 60’s of my teaching, learning and sharing this slow motion of the movements, I began with body mechanics principle, then moved into bio-mechanics, now I am involved with neurophysiology. The connections of three elements of brain, fingers and toes are crucial to our daily activities. It is like the hardware computer that requires a software of human brilliant mind to profound the system. The system must be updated monthly, weekly even in daily. The bus is not going to stop here, the learning and perfecting is never ending, which is similar to our computer’s software updating every so often.

These unhurried and relaxed movements help to regulate the nervous system, lubricate the joints and eliminate stiff muscle contractions. They facilitate full cooperation with brain function, circumventing physical interference from the muscles. This enables our fingers and toes to reach the highest level in the work of art.

For health, the soft movements of the practice ease body tension, promote the flow of vital energy Qi and replaces muscle rigidity with flexibility and excellent body coordination. They boost one’s mental tranquility, improve physical fitness, increase blood circulation to its full capacity, and provide the tissues of the various organs with the maximum amount of oxygen.

This gentle meditative moving of Tai Chi Chuan is one the great contributions to humanity’s well-being.