djo (12/20/82)
Being a student of T'ai Chi Chuan I must agree with Tony that The Force
has always reminded me of Chi. T'ai Chi translates to Universal
Exercise. T'ai Chi Ch'uan is the study of T'ai Chi for self defense.
Ch'uan means fist. The Chi permeates all living things. The Chi is
vital energy or prana in Sanskrit. Every person is born with a certain
amount of Chi. It flows throughout your body. When it is used up you
will die. There are certain things you can do to create more Chi thus
keeping yourself youthful and extending your life span such as eating
healthy and exercise but the practice of T'ai Chi is the BEST method.
To be an expert in T'ai Chi Ch'uan is to have immunity from destructive
external forces and from poor health. It is mental and physical
coordination. The body is the form, and the mind is the moving force.
The Chi is the prime component of acupuncture. Acupuncture seeks to
open the point(s) in your body where the Chi is blocked allowing its
healing powers to reach the problem area(s). It is sometimes
visualized as a kind of fluid that runs through the body along
certain channels called meridians. The Chi is controlled and directed
from the center of the body. You must find that place within yourself
and "sink" into it. The "trick" to the incredible power of T'ai Chi
Ch'uan as a fighting style is to follow your opponents hostile energy
without opposing or interfering with it; remaining calmly centered
while your assailant goes about the business of defeating himself.
There are two great qualities that T'ai Chi gradually bestows upon
its faithful practitioners: wisdom and power. I will leave it you
if this sounds like The Force. If anyone is interested in any
further info just let me know and I will send mail. I don't want
to clutter up sf-lovers anymore with this.
Denise O'Jibway
La Jolla, CA