Chatting with a friend today, we were saying how we would like to learn Tai Chi.  This got me thinking about the benefits of this age old practice. Behind this came the words of some “fundamental believers” who think arts such as this shouldn’t be practiced. This lead me to days post in the hopes it will bring the “truth to light”  And as always, my mission is to reveal how the Word & practices of old are still relevant today. What is Tai Chi ? Tai Chi : a type of martial art very well known for its defense techniques and health benefits. In today’s world this art has developed into an effective means of alleviating stress and anxiety – a form of ‘meditation in motion’ which promotes serenity and inner peace. Let’s break it down a bit further:       Chi is energy – the life giving, vital energy that unites body, mind and spirit. Chi has been likened to the yogic concept of prana and may also be thought of as Life Force. In the Word where does ” Life ” come from:  John 14 Yeshua says:                “I am the way and the truth and the Life”.  in this statement He is saying His Way of Life is The Way to Life. The fact that Yeshua interacted with All mankind as He traveled and He Did Meditate tells me He would have experienced various means of mind/body meditations in His lifetime. Tai Chi takes concentration to perform which is a form of Meditation as well as it’s added benefits of defense and toning & keeping the body fit. Still questioning Yeshua Meditating or participating in things to care for the body?  Check out Phil 4: 8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things ”  That said, Tai Chi is a pure & “true”  art form for the body and mind. The fruit of it proves this fact. As it says in Matthew: “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.”  In this verse,  I pray my point has been made clear:  Don’t knock it till you try it..the practice of Tai Chi is a bearer of Good Fruit which uplifts and edifies the Mind & the Body. Try it and see for yourself. Over 50 ?  this is a Great art for you. I have a DVD and have used it enough to know, It works you that is for sure but, with grace and ease not the rough & tough no pain no gain method . So today, I give Thanks for my conversation with my friend & invite all reading this post to join me as I break out my DVD and begin the practice of Tai Chi. Here’s a site where you can purchase a DVD’ for beginners/seniors – it even has a clip to watch.  http://www.taichiforseniorsvideo.com/gclid=CjwKEAjwtr6sBRDv7uzB492H9XISJADj6aqbY6gsAmHB4cs1k0PT_JCUxjth82XZUrrKJXefRF-9nhoCyrnw_wcB

Or you can try out this good 3 minute starter with my fav Tai Chi Master David Carradine…        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txnGD4rI2J0    This one is Fabulous for those who work on computers all day              You can do this one on your 10 minute break !

Keep an eye out in the fall….I am thinking once I get a good habit going we could meet at the beach and have our very own Tai Chi gathering. Smile   As we go forward in the week remember:  Col.1:10 – ” walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”   I have full confidence this practice is walking in a manner worthy of my Lord, Yeshua.  It is an art that bears good fruit for this body God created, relieves pain, opens and clears the mind, brings peace & Joy that I might “feel like” Praising Him each and everyday.

Ok…gotta go get started with David Carradine & look for his/my Tai Chi DVD that I know is somewhere in my Stuff !

Shalom