Tai Chi and Entertainment: Star Wars

The Force may seem like it was inspired by magic but George Lucas actually got the idea from Tai Chi. One day he called one of China's grandmasters to his ranch to discuss the theories and practices of Tai Chi. With that grandmaster's help, Lucas designed what came to be known as "the Force": a metaphysical power within all living things. In other words: Qi. (Too bad we can't channel our Qi into lighting, telekinesis, and lightsabers though.)


"The Force is a river from which many can drink, and the training of the Jedi is not the only cup which can catch it." ~Luke Skywalker


Image: http://media.moddb.com/images/downloads/1/24/23522/star_wars_the_force_unleashed.jpg
Source: said grandmaster's student
Star Wars © George Lucas

Health Benefits of Tai Chi & Qigong

Although in the Western World research into the health benefits of Tai Chi have only just begun, the Chinese have thousands of years of practical proof under their belt. In many cases, the recipes for medicines haven't changed in hundreds of years (if you can come up with even one medicine in the United States that's remained the same for over 100 years, you win the invisible prize). A few of the benefits believed to be linked to the practice of Tai Chi are:

• lowers heart rate
• improves circulation (especially in hands and feet)
• aids in healthful digestion
• slows down brainwaves
• lowers the frequency & severity of seizures
• reduces anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder (among others)
• improves memory and focus
• slows down the respiratory system (reduces or alleviates asthma and similar issues) 
• focuses the immune system (in China, Tai Chi has even been used as a cure for cancer)
• increases flexibility, coordination, and balance
• leads to longevity 

Image: http://www.kellykite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Traditional-Chinese-medicine.jpg
Source: in class lecture

Yang Style Tai Chi Demonstration

A demonstration of Yang Style Tai Chi

at Seattle Center Winterfest Nov. 2008

A demonstration of Tai Chi Sword 

which uses Yang Style Tai Chi.

Source 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50i0AgtKTtw

Source 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=9Zv7rJZocTU

Chen Style Tai Chi Demonstration

Grandmaster Chen Zheng Lei 
demonstrates Chen Style Tai Chi in 2005

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBnPzdTPFyM

Other Important People

Yang Chengfu started teaching Tai Chi in public rather than behind closed doors. He stood 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 300lbs. He was nicknamed "Invincible" because no one could beat him.


Chen Manching was a student under Yang Chengfu. He came over to the United States to teach Tai Chi but when he changed the Yang Style he was obliterated from their records. In the U.S., however, he's a very important figure.


Image: A picture believed to be of Chen Manching (also written Zheng Manqing) http://www.chinese-swords-guide.com/deadliest-martial-art.html
Source: in class lecture

The Tale of Sun Lutang

Sun Lutang, a scholar and the creator of Sun Style Tai Chi, was known most of all for his kindness. One day he found an injured man and nursed him back to health--little did Sun Lutang know, the man was a master of Hao Style Tai Chi. To repay Sun Lutang's kindness, the Hao Master stayed and taught him Hao Style Tai Chi Chuan.


Sun Lutang combined Hao Style with Ba Qua Chang and Hsing Yi to create Sun Style. He was also the first man to teach women Tai Chi. Prior to Sun Lutang, women taught women. Having a man teach women was a big step for Tai Chi at the time.


Image: a picture believed to be of Sun Lutang http://learning-tai-chi.info/images/sun-lu-tang.jpg
Source: in class lecture

The 5 Major Schools

Chen Style is considered the original Tai Chi. It's faster than other styles with more up and down movements. In Chen Style, breathing is heavier which allows opponents to see the flow of the participant's Qi and anticipate their moves.


Yang Style is the most popular around the world right now. It has a slower pace than Chen Style and requires a straight back (upright posture). It's similar to Sun Style but uses the bow stance (which has a distinct line of space between the feet) and the hands are slightly more closed than in Sun.


Hao and Wu Style are less popular styles and are sometimes mistaken as the same style. However, Hao has more rounded moves and Wu uses a slightly bent forward posture. 


Sun Style is the most recent of the major schools and the easiest to learn. It's used in the Tai Chi for Arthritis program because it's very flexible and can be adapted for anyone regardless of their physical limitations. 

Source: in class lecture
Image: http://www.ipmanwingchunslovenija.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/1281978923_crane_snake_yin_yang.jpg