There are two meditational exercises - both static and moving - popular in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They are called Taiji (pronounced Tie-Chee) and Qigong (pronounced Chee-gong). Unlike Western medicine, TCM views our Selves first as an unseen energy force called Qi (pronounced chee), and secondly as flesh.

Qi energy is divided into sections, collectively called the "Three Heaters," which are located vertically within three centers of the body. Generally speaking, these energy fields represent (from bottom to top) Power, Love, and Wisdom. When these centers become strong and open, they actually expand outside of ourselves to some degree.

Our Qi, or Life-Force, ebbs and flows just as the world around us does. It is a natural cycle to have movement and change. The stock market rises and falls, and so do we. Our relationships rise and fall, and so do we. Scientific theories rise and fall..... and so do we. Good health depends on the smooth and harmonious movement of our Qi. Sickness and disease happen when Qi flow stagnates or is blocked.

Through various methods, including Taiji, each of us can learn to be our own source of energy. Yet, too often we rely on the energies of Power, Love, and Wisdom to be supplied from some source outside ourselves. We thus become subject to the Yins and Yangs of the Relative World of Life -- or, the balances and forces of the other things going on around us as opposed to inside ourselves. Stress and dis-ease both result from relying on these external sources of energy, and manifest themselves in varying degrees in our body, mind, and/or spirit.

The root purpose of Taiji is to bring the three centers of Power, Love, and Wisdom that create the composite of Body, Mind, and Spirit to full and congruous awareness inside ourselves. Finding the source within ourselves for these energies leads to greater empowerment, inner peace, and intuition.

The ancient Chinese soft-martial art of Taiji, along with its associated Qigong exercises, has been used for a few thousand years with an intent of health and self-healing. Taiji and Qigong both focus and direct movement of the Qi by using the breath and Yi, or mind-intent. They place the body in gentle static and moving isometric exercises that build both physical and inner strength, and balance and harmonize our life-giving three centers of energy. These exercises can be adjusted to fit any age and fitness level, and any degree of current health.

Chase Acuff is a certified Taiji instructor and owner of Dao Dancing Taiji & Qigong: Empowering People and Building Community. He has been studying Taiji, Qigong and Oriental Medicine for the past four years. For more information, call 245-4205.