T'ai Chi Chih®, or Joy through Movement, is a form of Qi Gong, which consists of 19 movements and one pose. Originated by Justin Stone, this simplified or "westernized" form is translated literally as "knowledge of the supreme ultimate."
Visit the official T'ai Chi Chih site at www.taichichih.org for full information.
Are you looking for a way to practice T'ai Chi Chih in the comfort of your home? Pamela Towne, produced a fabulous video which can be ordered at her website:
www.taichi9.com.
Personally speaking, T'ai Chi Chih has become an important daily focal point of my life. Some time ago, I was diagnosed with the shingles. Although I was considerably young for this condition, shingles can manifest if one is under unusually heavy emotional distress. I certainly had that experience and in desperation one evening (and extreme pain), I started to search the internet for a solution. Having taught Yoga and Qigong for years, I "googled" Yoga for Shingles... Qigong for Shingles... T'ai Chi for Shingles ...
I came across an article about a westernized (simplified) form of T'ai Chi called T'ai Chi Chih® originated by Justin Stone, a previous T'ai Chi Ch'uan Master and renaissance man in his own right. Indeed, a medical study was conducted on the effect of T'ai Chi Chih on a group of people with shingles with measurable and favorable results.
Here's what I found.
Without hesitation, I began to watch what was available on YouTube. Justin Stone had recorded a great deal of material on the moves of T'ai Chi Chih and I literally began practicing immedicately. Soon, I searched out a teacher --
thank you Nancy Frost -- and began to work with her both privately and also enrolled in the initial 8 week T'ai Chi Chih beginner's course.
Truly, since the day I discovered T'ai Chi Chih, I have practice joyfully every single day. In addition to Nancy's class, practicing daily on my own, watching Justin's YouTube videos and purchasing many of the resources available through
Good Karma Publishing, last October, I traveled to Philadelpha and attended a T'ai Chi Chih Intensive. Immersed for three and a half days in expert level instruction on T'ai Chi Chih, my resolve and commitment strengthened even more.
I am currently signed up to attend another Intensive, this time in North Carolina beginning on February 29, 2012. It is my sincere hope and desire to be able to attend the Teacher Accreditation as soon as I satisfy the requirements. I encourage ANYONE to take a look at T'ai Chi Chih, regardless of age, fitness level, spiritual inclination or experience with past attempts at learning T'ai Chi.
IN THE MEDIA:
• AARP
• T’ai Chi Chih acutely decreases sympathetic nervous system activity in older adults
• “Better Your Mind with T’ai Chi Chih” ABCNews.com
• The Physical and Mental benefits of Seated T’ai Chi Chih - Spinal Cord Injury