Tai Chi Lee

Tai Chi Lee

Promoting Harmony of Mind, Inner Awareness and Mental Focus.

Tai Chi Lee
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Lee Atwater is a  Certified Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor and has attended Dr. Paul Lam’s workshop for special training.

Please check free downloads below and the Links page if you would like to find out more about Tai Chi!

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Free Downloads

Below are some PDF files of various Yang style Tai Chi forms and some articles that you may download and save to your PC. Please check back to see if any more new pieces have been added.  Please scroll down the page for other useful resources.


Tai Chi Inspiration Radio Show

Tai Chi Lee was on Blog Talk Radio (select link to listen to some of the archived episodes).


The Ten Guiding Points of Tai Chi

1. Relax – loosen the muscles, release tension and give up your energy externally but preserve it internally.

2. Sink – the whole body, upper torso, waist, thighs and legs, should be relaxed and all energy concentrated in the “Bubbling Springs.”

3. Chest sunk, back straight, shoulders down and elbows lowered – combined, this allows the chi to sink to the tan t’ien.

4. Suspend from above – a light and nimble energy should be preserved on the top of the head and the lowest vertebrae should be erect.

5. Use the mind – all the movements are directed by the mind without using external muscular force (arms become like iron bars wrapped in cotton).  “From the most flexible and yielding, one will arrive at the most powerful and unyielding.”

6. Body acts as one unit – upper body and lower body follow each other.  Energy is rooted in the feet, develops in the legs, is directed by the waist and is expressed through the fingers.

7. Full and empty – when practicing it is important to distinguish between insubstantial and substantial.

8. Line of vision – your eyes must always look forward to an imaginary opponent.  The head and body must move as one unit.

9. Flow – all the movements of the form must be connected without severance – practiced slowly, effortlessly and continuously to allow the chi and blood to circulate.

10. Meditation in action – when practicing you must control your movements by tranquility and direct the movements with mind intent rather than external muscular force.


Some Suggested Reading Materials, Videos and Music

For those interested in learning more, here is a short list of some suggested reading, videos and music:

Books - there are many good books available that offer historical, philosophical and instructional information. Listed below are but a few.

  1. T’ai-chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions, translated by Douglas Wile - discusses the tai chi principles in detail and has pictures of Yang Cheng Fu.
  2. Tao Te Ching translated by Stephen Mitchell - “The book of the way” - a small book of verses.
  3. The Essence of T’ai Chi - Waysun Liao - A Shambhala Pocket Classic with lots of philosophical background and detailed tai chi classics.
  4. The Tao of Tai-Chi - Jou, Tsung Hwa - One of the best tai chi books available discussing theory, breathing, the form and much more.
  5. T’ai Chi Ch’uan For Health and Self-Defense - Master T. T. Liang. Another great book on philosophy and practice.
  6. Yang Style Taijiquan - Yang Zhenduo - The ultimate book for learning the details of the Yang long form postures (may be hard to find - out of print).
  7. Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan - Fu Zhongwen - A student of Yang Cheng Fu, Master Fu writes in detail about each posture, including the tai chi classics and push hands.
  8. The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi and The Harvard Medical School Introduction to Tai Chi - loaded with useful information, instruction and no-nonsense medical evidence of the benefits of practicing tai chi.
  9. Way of the Peaceful Warrior - not specifically about tai chi but a really fun read.
  10. There Are No Secrets, by Wolfe Lowenthal - interesting short bits by Professor Cheng Man Ching.
  11. Notes from the Song of Life, by Brother Tolbert McCarroll - a collection of spiritual reflections.
  12. Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain The Essence of Taiji by Al Huang - both philosophical and spiritual and wonderful reading - I love Al Huang!
  13. Tai Ji, Essential Tai Ji by Al Huang - a book with great photos and short verses with some exercises and philosophical quotes.
  14. A Sense of Where You Are,by John McPhee - not a tai chi book at all, but I love John McPhee and this is a great read about Bill Bradley when he played basketball at Princeton.  Talk about awareness!

Videos - Good Yang style videos may be difficult to find but here are a couple that I like.

  • T’ai Chi For Health - Yang Long Form with Terry Dunn. Terry Dunn also has a Yang Short Form video.
  • Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan - A 3-volume set of instruction directly from the family that created Yang Style Taijiquan. See Yang Family site for more information.

Music - depending on your taste, there is a huge selection of music appropriate for Taiji. Generally look under “New Age” in music stores or search for “tai chi” on Amazon or other music retailers.

  • Dean Evenson - “Sound Healing” or “Tao of Healing” - see Soundings of the Planet for more info.
  • T’ai Chi Sunrise - Avalon Music
  • Steven Halpern - “Inner Peace” - see Inner Peace Music
  • Other artists include:
    • Deuter
    • Carlos Nakai - Native American flute
    • Andreas Vollenweider - Harp
The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
There wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.
 
They were careful as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
 
Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving until the right action arises by itself?
 
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment. Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present and can welcome all things.
 

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