Chen Man-Ching brought Tai Chi to the United States in the 1960s.
Man-Ching told his students to relax, especially in dire and dangerous circumstances.
Man-Ching taught relaxation from a martial arts perspective. When we are tense, we are stiff. Stiffness allows our opponents to move and break us.
When we are relaxed, we are flexible. We channel the power of water which cannot be broken. Water can smooth the hardness of rocks and turn over large boats.
Relaxed, in this context, doesn’t mean slumped over on a couch. It’s more like the alert, relaxed energy of a cat.
Man-Ching practiced Chinese medicine too. In his view, our bodies are full of energy channels. When we are tense, our vital energy, chi, is blocked. Our essence can’t flow naturally. This is causes us to fall ill.
When we are relaxed, our chi flows freely.
Relaxation is about allowing circumstances and ourselves to be as they are. It’s a simple concept and yet I find myself forgetting to relax all the time.
Our world is not a very relaxed place.
It’s up to me to remember to stop.
Take a deep breath.
And relax.
Relaxation gives us health and power.
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