Living traditions: Tai Chi
Passing on a living tradition
Tai chi is a martial art adapted to fit the modern lifestyle. It focuses on mindfulness, relaxation, and slow—but not necessarily easy—exercise. Greatly influenced by philosophy, medicine, and the martial arts of the day, tai chi continues evolving to suit modern practitioners' needs. From elite athletes looking to improve their lower body strength and coordination to regular people seeking relief from back pain and improving balance, tai chi practice can challenge the most sophisticated movement specialists.
The characteristics that define tai chi practice are the same as any high-level sport: moving with the core in a relaxed manner, breath control, and mental focus. Practicing tai chi is training your body to move in the most efficient way that develops a high level of proprioception, or self-awareness. These characteristics of tai chi come from observation of nature and how humans move and interact.
Taoist philosophy - a unique philosophical system developed in the BCE - contributes the concept to tai chi that it is more advantageous to meet strength with emptiness. In other words, if we meet an oncoming force with force, both parties can be injured. However, if we can redirect the force, we can create a situation where the other party is overcommitted, allowing us to seize the advantage. This ability comes from spinal movement, which means “moving from the core.”
Acupuncture and Eastern medicine provide the framework for using breathwork to assist movement. The diaphragm is the primary muscle used for breathing, and it is used in tai chi practice to strengthen the abdomen during movement and as a focal point for the mind when actively looking inward. The channels of acupuncture map out the connection between muscle groups known as lines of tension; in other words, the contraction of a finger influences how the leg moves.
Like any advanced martial art, the highest level of training involves the mind. Modern medicine has only begun to recognize the connection between the mind and the body, yet this concept is nothing new to ancient cultures. One of the significant benefits of tai chi for general well-being is relaxing the body and mind in a way similar to moving meditation. It is practiced with slow, deliberate movements that give us time to feel our bodies. We practice with deliberation - there is an economy of movement without being too much or too little. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
Dr. Lung’s tai chi
Every teacher interprets the subject they teach in their own way. In Dr. Lung’s case, his background in Eastern medicine, philosophy, and even karate majorly influences how he sees human movement and tai chi.
In ancient times (and in many martial arts circles today), it was common to ask who your teacher was. For those who knew, the teacher represented a particular lineage and style that could be seen in the student.
The style that Dr. Lung practices is Chen style, also known as the original style of tai chi. He began his studies with Ren Guang Yi in New York City after graduating from acupuncture school in the early 2000s. Master Ren is a student of Chen Xiao Wang, the lineage holder of Chen-style tai chi.
In the mid-2000s, Dr. Lung began to study with Wang Hai Jun, who held seminars in Massachusetts several times a year. Master Wang is an indoor disciple of Chen Zheng Lei, a younger brother of Chen Xiao Wang, and lives in England. Throughout the years, Dr. Lung attended the US seminars and visited his teacher for the European workshops. During this time, Dr. Lung was active in tai chi competitions. He has won numerous medals and represented the US in international competitions in form demonstration and push-hands.
Winning in competition, getting a black belt, or any other accolade in martial arts is only scratching the surface; as they say, it only “opens the door.” How far one wants to take their practice when one no longer has to prove anything is limited by one's curiosity. To that end, Dr. Lung started to practice with Yu Guo Shun, a direct student of Ma Hong, who was a student of the famed Chen-style practitioner, Chen Fake. Chen Fake is the teacher of Yang Lu Chan and the founder of Yang-style tai chi, the most popular style practiced worldwide. Master Yu was also trained in Shaolin Long Fist, the Praying Mantis style - elements of which can be found in his practice of Chen style tai chi. His other teacher was Chen Yu, famous for his joint locks and throws.
Dr. Lung continues to study with Kiyoshi Arakaki, founder of Muso-Kai Karate-Do in Salt Lake City. Although Shihan Arakaki is scheduled to retire from teaching in the US soon, Dr. Lung hopes to set up new branches of Muso-Kai Karate-Do with his former classmates.
A tai chi story
Part of learning from teachers who directly connect to the origins of the art is hearing the stories and anecdotes that have been passed down. While these stories have been embellished over the centuries, they remain humorous inspirations to future generations, illustrating that they were still human no matter how great those teachers may seem today.
Master Wang (who is quite a comedian) tells a story about how Yang Lu Chan, who was very poor and working as a servant for one of the teachers in Chen village, used to observe the master teaching in the evening from a hiding spot in a tree. While sitting in the tree watching the class, he slipped and almost fell off one day. He caught himself before falling, but not before letting out a yell and giving away his hiding spot. The teacher yelled out: “Who’s there? Come down here now!” Poor Master Yang had to answer: “It’s me, sir.” The teacher recognizes Yang as his servant. “How long have you been there?” Yang replies: “The whole class, sir.” Not exactly pleased, the teacher tells Yang, "Show me what you learned.” Master Yang then demonstrates what he has learned, apparently having watched from the tree for years, and surprises everyone with his skill. He was accepted as a student, taught at the imperial court in Beijing, and created the Yang-style tai chi.
