Master Liang’s Demonstration Introduction

[Notes follow transcript]

Ladies and gentlemen,

Now I am honored to be here to give a lecture-demonstration on T’ai Chi Ch’uan.

There are many books written about t’ai chi ch’uan. As the philosophy, classics, and the principles of this art are so profound and abstruse and the time is limited, I can only give a rough idea of what t’ai chi ch’uan is.

T’ai Chi Ch’uan is an ancient Chinese form of classical dance for health and self-defense created by a Taoist named Chang San Feng of the Sung Dynasty.

The fundamental principles quoted from the T’ai Chi Ch’uan classics are:

1. “To concentrate the Chi, an inherent oxygen in the body for stamina and vitality,” and it brings one to the pliability of an infant. This is for health.

2. “To conquer the forceful and unyielding with the gentle and unyielding.” This is for self-defense or practical use.

Now let me explain the first fundamental principle which is for health. In the classics of t’ai chi ch’uan it is said “when the lowest vertebra are plumb erect, the spirit of vitality reaches to the top of the head; with the top of the head as it suspended from above, the whole body feels itself light and nimble.”

This is the way for strengthening the spine. By strengthening the spine one not only automatically strengthens one's internal vital organs but the brain itself.

The classics again said: “The chi sinks to the tantien. When your chi sinks to the tantien your whole body will be relaxed and the blood will circulate freely through the whole body.” After you have practiced in this manner for a certain period of time you will enjoy a perfect health. It is also the way to immortality. When you have a perfect health, then we can talk about the second fundamental principle which is self-defense or practical use of a t’ai chi ch’uan.

The application or functioning of t’ai chi ch’uan hinges entirely upon the player’s consciousness. “To take advantage of your opponent’s weak points and your own superior position,” “to deflect the momentum of 1,000 pounds with a trigger force of four ounces” and “from the most pliable and yielding you will arrive at the most powerful and unyielding” are sayings which emphasize mental activities rather than external physical force.

My personal view

Men cannot live healthily without taking exercises. The “book of change” (I Ching) says: “As nature is always in motion, so should a man acting to strengthen himself without interruption.” An ancient Chinese proverb says: “a door pivot will never be worm eaten and the flowing water will never become putrid.” These aphorisms indicate that taking exercise leads to robust health.

There are however, many kinds of exercises from which one will have to make a choice. Of all the exercises, I should say t’ai chi ch’uan is the best. It can ward off disease, banish worry and tension, and achieve better physical health and prolong life. It is suitable for everyone—the weak, sick, the aged as well as children and women—will all get benefit from it. And it is also an economical exercise. So long as one has three feet square of space and can spare 30 minutes a day, one can practice it without spending a single cent!