Not quite like karate

Taoist Tai Chi in Yellowknife

Amy Collins
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 25/03) - When people hear the word Tai Chi they might think it's just a slow-moving type of karate they remember from television. In Yellowknife, it mostly is.

"People are used to thinking of Tai Chi as an exercise," said Arlene Bell, president of the Taoist Tai Chi Society.

Tai Chi is a set of 108 moves that can be completed alone or in a group.

It's done slowly and silently, with the "big joints (arms and legs) moving in choreographed movement."

Unlike karate, however, there are no belts to advance through.

Beginners, once they've learned the set, can only do more training.

It's considered a continuing level of learning.

Bell recommends working in a group.

"You have to know the moves by heart but if you lapse in focus, you can look at the set leader."

At the society, members go through foundation movements and then move through two to three sets, each taking 15 to 20 minutes.

While the foundation movements can be done anywhere, completing a full set takes a space no less than 20 feet by 10 feet.

"You're always moving," Bell said, adding that it can be tough for people not used to whole body movement to start.

"You're not just learning moves but increasing your body awareness," she said.

The society, running for 12 years, has adapted a version of Tai Chi for people in wheelchairs or with balance problems. Sets can be done sitting and using the upper half of the body.

Benefits to this exercise include better balance, stronger leg muscles and flexibility. Doing Tai Chi also helps eliminate stress.

"It's good for mental health as well as physical," Bell said.

The premise of Tai Chi is that Chi is universal energy that is outside and inside of everybody.

It's believed that illness is caused by blockages of Chi in the body.

"Tai Chi seeks to move Chi inside us in an efficient way so our bodies are healthier and stronger."

Tai Chi is a form of Taoism, pronounced Dow-ism, the ancient Chinese philosophy.

"If you're aware of being connected to the universal Chi there can a spiritual aspect," Bell said.

Different types of Tai Chi are even slower than Taoist. In some forms a person's feet stay in one spot, Bell said.

"There are variations of Tai Chi even within the Taoist tradition," Bell said, citing the sabre set, sword set and low cup set as a few others.

The Taoist Tai Chi Society practices in gymnasiums and the Baker Centre, up to three times a week. All instructors are volunteers.

Another group practicing similar exercises in Yellowknife is the Praying Mantis Kung Fu, taught by Robert Hui, who also works at Hollywood Video.

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is taught by Bill Hill, who also works at Overlander Sports.

It differs from Taoist Tai Chi by using different forms, movements and including a self-defense application.

For more information on Taoist Tai Chi visit www.taoist.org.