Correct tai chi practice requires both meditation and movement. Standing meditation teaches the body to relax and develops chi. Movement, including breathing exercises, activates chi. For instance, the
peng yue
(carry the moon) breathing exercise stirs and balances internal energy. Through its circular pattern, it actually directs energy into the correct parts of the body by creating a magnetic field from the body movements. After balancing internal energy through the peng yue breathing exercise, the meditation that follows is calm and pure, naturally lowering the body's chi breathing point.
Comprehensive chi study must include some internal (chi) training. Without chi development, tai chi would be just another external martial art or exercise. Chi development comes from passive meditation and stance training. It must also include chi and physical activity, gained from forms practice and breathing exercises.
For more of Colleen Baxter's gorgeous Chinese brush paintings please visit:
http://www.colleenbaxter.co.uk/online-store.html