The mental outlook when performing either of those arts is similar: a quiet, focused mind is essential to gain the maximum benefit. T'ai Chi practice usually involves performing a series of movements one after the other until the entire series is complete. Qigong practice involves repeating a specific movement several times before moving on to a different one.
T'ai Chi is fundamentally a martial art. We usually see T'ai Chi practiced in slow motion for the same benefits that Qigong provides. However, when the movements are executed rapidly, it becomes a superior martial art. T'ai Chi is called "the mother of Kung Fu" in China.
Legend tells us that in the 4th Century B.C., a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma came to China from India. He found the monks of the Shaolin Temple in a wretched physical and spiritual condition. He taught them Buddhism and the exercises we know as Qigong.
This new healing practice evolved through the centuries. Then in the 14th Century, a Taoist priest named Chang San-Feng was awakened from an afternoon nap by a loud screeching made by a crane in mortal combat with a snake.
Legend tells us that in the 4th Century B.C., a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma came to China from India. He found the monks of the Shaolin Temple in a wretched physical and spiritual condition. He taught them Buddhism and the exercises we know as Qigong.
This new healing practice evolved through the centuries. Then in the 14th Century, a Taoist priest named Chang San-Feng was awakened from an afternoon nap by a loud screeching made by a crane in mortal combat with a snake.
The snake could coil and uncoil in smooth, fluid movements and strike at the crane with speed too quick to follow with the eye. The crane brushed aside each strike with a deft movement of its wing. The crane would then strike at the snake with its beak. The snake nimbly avoided each of the crane's attacks and their combat continued.
Eventually, the two combatants gave up and ended their struggle, but Chang, who had been locked in rapt attention, decided to develop a fighting style based on the movements of the animals. T'ai Chi was born.
Eventually, the two combatants gave up and ended their struggle, but Chang, who had been locked in rapt attention, decided to develop a fighting style based on the movements of the animals. T'ai Chi was born.
(There are many different versions of this story.)
No comments:
Post a Comment