From Motion to Stillness

Yoga links stretching exercises, breathing and meditation through repetition of a series of poses. Yoga and T’ai Chi, a slowmotion martial art, use breath and consciousness, static-ness and dynamics, with the motions and within-the-motions in which stillness remains concealed. Yoga and T’ai Chi search for stillness in motion, leading towards self-mastery. Every movement is filled with awareness and meaning. Both attempt to experience something of a reality, which is the essence of life with presence of mind and also attend to the daily needs of life. The relationship between yoga and T’ai Chi is important as both aim to balance movements of the body connected with deep breathing. T’ai Chi is not only physical; it is also conceptual. Both yoga and T’ai Chi consist of equanimity that has connectivity of breath with body movements. In yoga, we direct movements towards the inside; in T’ai Chi, we do the same towards the outside. Deep breathing is essential in both T’ai Chi and yoga. To breathe properly is to live properly. In T’ai Chi, the flow of breath coincides with the flow of body so as to unite body and mind with spirit. T’ai means breath and Chi represents life’s energy. The flow of Chi along with the realised flow of T’ai gives a complete T’ai Chi, uniting the internal and external strength (mind and body). Every movement in both forms represents the art of respecting the pancha bhootas and derives energy from this. These ancient disciplines awaken one’s physical potential to be able to live a strong and dynamic life.

Source: Economic Times, 29/03/2019