Photos and Story by Caleb Revill / Contributing Writer
Aspiring students and intrigued visitors were taught the fundamentals of Tai Chi by several instructors during Murfreesboro’s 7th annual World Qi Gong and Tai Chi day at Oaklands Mansion.
Event organizer, Bret Hawkins, along with several of his student-instructors demonstrated a few of the many forms and styles of Tai Chi to an audience of event attendees. Visitors were encouraged to participate alongside instructors.
Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art focusing on internal energy, “Chi”, and mental fortitude. Hawkins explained to attendees that it can be difficult to conceptualize Tai Chi.
“It’s hard to put any kind of label on Tai Chi because, over time, it becomes a lifestyle,” Hawkins said.
Tui Shou, or “Push Hands”, was demonstrated by Hawkins and a student. The technique involved the two participants keeping hand contact while performing a series of postures and reacting only to their partner’s given energy.
Hawkins mentioned that professionals of Tai Chi can perform Push Hands for hours without breaking contact.
He explained that Push Hands is not like sparring but instead learning how to interpret energy and redirect it. The goal is to have one’s opponent literally defeat themselves.
“It’s a lesson in sensitivity. You’re learning to listen to energy,” Hawkins said.
Aside from the martial aspects, Tai Chi is widely credited for its health benefits. Hawkins explained that practicing Tai Chi can help with lowering blood pressure and improving balance.
“A good 80 percent of my students probably don’t have any interest in the martial aspects, they come for the medical aspects,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins noted Dr. Paul Lam’s approach for helping people with arthritis through a modified “Sun Style” of Tai Chi. This style was demonstrated for guests by Allison Davidson, one of Hawkins’ student teachers.
Hawkins demonstrated the different forms for event attendees. Forms are the poses made when practicing Tai Chi. Hawkins explained that each Form has its own meaning behind it.
While practicing forms, participants were told to focus on breathing through their belly during movements. Participants were also asked to stay in tune with their body and not to strain themselves when performing Tai Chi.
Jack Zhao and Dali Chung of MTSU’s Confucius Institute performed a traditional style of Tai Chi for guests. Zhao, Associate Director of MTSU’s Confucius Institute, said that he hopes to bring more Chinese culture to Murfreesboro.
“The hope is to share Chinese culture to more people and exchange American culture back to China,” Zhao said.
Hawkins has practiced Tai Chi for 18 years now, starting with World Tai Chi day in 1999 at Nashville’s “Dragon Park.” Hawkins said that it was World Tai Chi day that got him interested in learning about Tai Chi.
It was at that event where Hawkins met his mentor, Tom Wang. In 2004 Hawkins began assisting for Wang, and in 2006 Hawkins began teaching at the Williamson County Recreational Center.
From 2008 to 2010 Hawkins worked toward developing Murfreesboro’s Tai Chi community. In 2010 Hawkins started World Tai Chi day events in Murfreesboro, starting at the SportsCom Complex. World Tai Chi Day has been held annually in Murfreesboro ever since.
World Qi Gong Tai Chi Day is an international holiday. Hawkins said that the event is held from 10 a.m. until noon every time, no matter where you are in the world.
Interested in learning more about Tai Chi? Bret Hawkins will be teaching a 1 credit hour course of Tai Chi at MTSU for the Fall 2017 Semester. If you aren’t in the area, it might be a smart idea to consider checking out tai chi online there are some great online resources that can help you practice the techniques.
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