Category Archives: Tai Chi

My Cat & Tai Chi: An Insight Into The Internal Arts

My cat Salem is only a few short months away from turning 2. She is still young, playful and full of energy. She is very affectionate most of the time, but she also likes to play rough on occasion and has yet to realize how much her claws and teeth can do to my poorContinue reading “My Cat & Tai Chi: An Insight Into The Internal Arts”

Read, Watch, Listen: Tai Chi

Read Chen Style Taijiquan Collected Masterworks: The History of a Martial Art by Mike Chen One of my favourite texts, containing English translations of several important Chen taijiquan documents. Chen Style Taijiquan: The Source of Taiji Boxing by Davidine Siaw-Voon Sim and David Gaffney One of my favourite texts, provides a comprehensive introduction to theContinue reading “Read, Watch, Listen: Tai Chi”

The Benefits of Tai Chi for Positive Masculinity

In honour of Movember, a month dedicated to men’s health, I wanted to share some thoughts on my Tai Chi practice, and it’s an excellent practice to break the cycle of toxic masculinity. Different Types of Strength Tai Chi, like many of the internal arts, requires a considerable amount of strength–but it is a strengthContinue reading “The Benefits of Tai Chi for Positive Masculinity”

Tai Chi and Christianity: A Personal Reflection In Honour of Asian Heritage Month

This month is Asian Heritage Month, being observed by the Canada and the United Church of Canada. This Sunday was specifically devoted to Asian Heritage, and I thought I’d share some of my reflections on this day. I will note that I am a white, cisgender, heterosexual male in Ontario, Canada coming from a middleContinue reading “Tai Chi and Christianity: A Personal Reflection In Honour of Asian Heritage Month”

My Tai Chi Journey So Far: Looking Back At 15 Years Of Practice

Hi all! So, as I was walking to the park to practice my Tai Chi routines the other day, I realized that the 15 year anniversary of my Tai Chi practice had passed me by without me fully realizing it. So I thought I’d make a blog post about it, especially as I’m sure someContinue reading “My Tai Chi Journey So Far: Looking Back At 15 Years Of Practice”

Poem: Push Hands

We start slowSilent and listeningWhole body aware.Energy flowsBack and forthForth and back.Speed increasesThen complexityConscious thought is abandoned.I win by letting goI fight by giving groundI strengthen by relaxing.It becomes playJoy fills my spirit.I am capable of so much moreThan I e’er dreamt.

Poem: Chen Tai Chi

It starts slow.I moveIn perfect control.SlowlyThe rhythm speedsAnd energy flowsSuddenly it stops.I’m just getting startedFaster and fasterI move.Sweat drips downMy naked torsoFinally readyI take up the blade.The dance begins againMore lethal this timeMore demanding.Cold steel flashesBody movesAnd I amOne with the Spirit.For a momentThe cosmic tumblers align.The moment is gone too soonBut with each danceMyContinue reading “Poem: Chen Tai Chi”