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Dan Chisholm, 29; Full-time instructor of Chen Style Taiji based in West Sussex
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
I began learning with Master Liming Yue in 1996 whilst studying at University in Manchester. I noticed an advertisement for new classes showing Master Liming Yue in an incredibly low posture and I knew from that moment I had to join. From the very first class, there was no doubt that I had found someone special. Master Liming Yue has a control and gracefulness to his movements with an underlying presence of power that is jaw dropping. I have complete admiration for someone who has dedicated their life to achieve such a high level of skill and has inspired me to follow in his footsteps. Click here to read Hysterical Aphonia in TCM.
Q : So has it proved good fortune?
Definitely! I found out recently that my arrival in Manchester coincided with that of Master Liming Yue's from China, so I guess I was just in the right place at the right time. You can call it fate, to meet such an accomplished teacher but it's important for the individual to recognize the opportunity and make full use of it.
I have been extremely fortunate to have only studied from some of the most talented masters in the world. Once you have witnessed and experienced this level of training, anything else is just a disappointment. Life is short and Taiji is a long and challenging journey. To reach the highest levels, it is essential that you find a good teacher who can guide and direct you along the correct path. If you are going to succeed in any activity, it makes sense to learn from the most experienced practitioners available. This ensures you to gain the maximum benefit and limits the amount of wasted time. Click here to read Abnormal Patency of Eustachian Tube in TCM.
Q : What has kept you intrigued by Chen Style Taiji over time?
No matter what level you reach, you will always find there is something more to learn. This is probably Taiji's greatest asset. Once you begin, you will never become bored since all the benefits and abilities you develop become increasingly more profound as you progress. From relaxation to health, fitness to healing, martial application to spiritual training, all aspects are founded on the same basic principles that permeate every aspect of this art. It' s just up to the individual how far you take it.
Taiji will continually challenge you physically and mentally. At first, the movements seem easy to follow. But they require more than just simple replication. There is an underlying energy that needs to be stimulated, understood and then allowed to flow. But the whole process takes time. Once you learn to relax and listen to your body, your internal energy begins to flow. This creates a fluidity of movement that could not be produced through simply using body mechanics alone. Click here to read Sudden Deafness in TCM.
Q : How would you summarize Chen Style Taiji?
Chen Style Taiji is a dynamic system of movement that adheres precisely to the original Taoist principles of Yin and Yang. A student should be able to perform all movements with a clear understanding of these elements, since without it true balance is impossible. Movements should be smooth, graceful and effortless due to the involvement of internal energy. Once this internal energy has been stimulated and flows unobstructed, optimum health, self-awareness, healing abilities, martial skill and spiritual understanding all become accessible.
Q : Have you had any health troubles?
No. I have been fortunate with my health but this is mainly due to being heavily involved in sports from a young age. Personally, I see Taiji as an essential daily supplement, like a vitamin, that is important in sustaining a healthy body. Softer forms of moderated exercises like Taiji are far more beneficial to long-term health than the modern "impact" forms of exercises that seem to provide only short-term benefits and do little to protect the long-term health of the individual. Softer exercises like Taiji are finally being recognized as providing the greatest benefits to physical and mental health that are sustainable well into old age. Click here to read Chronic Pharyngitis in TCM.
Taiji has continued to keep me healthy and flexible, both physically and mentally. The benefits to my own health develop the more I study and I have begun to lay the foundations for good health for the rest of my life.
Q : What, for you, are the key health gains from studying Chen Style Taiji?
I personally feel that the most important health gain from practicing Chen Style Taiji is the ability to relax. Relaxation is the most fundamental requirement and the root from which all other benefits will stem. After the body and mind are able to relax, subtle and gradual changes begin to occur within the body. The combinations of relaxation with the subtle twisting actions of the movements produce similar effects to massage. These massaging actions remove toxins, replenish the supply of nutrient rich blood, and promote optimum health and vitality.
Q : So a key point is that Chen Style Taiji helps you get in touch with your body?
Yes. I think it surprises people just how much you start to understand your body and how your mind plays a role in effecting your state of health. These so-called "simple exercises" help calm the mind, strengthen the body and allow you to develop a greater sensitivity and awareness ofthe self. Taiji is a deeply personal activity where everyone develops at a different rate as they begin to understand the feelings and sensations produced from practicing this fascinating art. Click here to read Chronic Laryngitis in TCM.
Q : Could you expand on the broader health benefits?
One of the most valuable features of practicing Taiji is its ability to calm the mind. The slow, meditative style of the movement provides the key for relieving tension and stress. Emotions, such as anger, anxiety and fear, are the origin of many illnesses. Once emotions are brought under control by calming the mind, improvements to health begin to develop.
As the movements in Taiji are undertaken slowly, the body is gently conditioned to relax and tone all the muscles. This approach to training requires all the muscles to be exercised in a balanced and natural way that incorporates the whole body. This is essential to maintain good posture.
The movements performed during Taiji exercises lead to improved digestion, greater vitality, improved circulation, increased appetite, stabilized emotions and a calmer mind that will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed - and all this from a simple exercise system!
Q : Any long-term reflections on Chen Style Taiji?
Taiji is not just a "simple exercise". It is a profound system that involves physical, mental and spiritual training. Little did I know when I attended my very first class that Iwould now be teaching and promoting this incredible art.From my own training, I understand just how important Taiji can be in all aspects of life. It has allowed me greater control over my emotions and helped develop a greater understanding of myself.
Unfortunately, most people seem to take their health for granted, only becoming interested in healthcare after being confronted with illness. Keeping an active body and mind are essential to fight off ill health, senility and the multitude of problems that people associate with age. With the right training, you can remain active and healthy well into your senior years, which is ironically, the part of your life when you have the time and the money to enjoy it. Click here to read Secretory Otitis Media in TCM.
Q : Any particular reflections on the mysterious internal aspect to Chen Style Taiji?
Taiji is a form of meditation that utilizes movement to develop spiritual awareness. Simple techniques are used to stimulate a feeling of internal energy. Once stimulated, the collection, circulation and refinement of this energy is required to strengthen the body and improve health. By practicing Taiji regularly, energy begins to flow freely and movement becomes lighter and more fluid. By becoming sensitive to our bodies, energy is used to direct the flow of movement.
The closest analogy I can find to Taiji is mountain climbing. Most people aspire to reach the top. It ultimately comes down to talent, guidance and the individual' s own determination to succeed. The journey can be long and challenging and some days we make great progress, whilst other days we will feel we are making no progress at all. There are thousands of steps and it is important that we should enjoy the views (benefits) along the way. Most importantly of all, we need to remind ourselves that the view from the summit is the best one. If we find times of difficulty or lose enthusiasm we must carry on. Each step, however insignificant, takes us one step closer to our final destination.