Regarding Taichi, I think one of the misconceptions about it lays in the simple fact that the character 极，is supposed to be read “Ji” sounding more like the way you say the word “Jesus” and not chi like “Chicago”.

So not only put the “Chuan” but also put back the Ji would contribute to eradicate the issue.

Thank you for the article

I too have been wondering about Rasaji. I have some information I would share with you if you would like.

Hi Lynne. I’m too busy for personal email responses, but I’ll answer your question here. I also deleted your email address because it’s not something that should be posted in the comments.

I’m not aware of any evidence that Lao Tzu established anything in India. There are no records of Lao Tzu after he went into seclusion. In any case, Lao Tzu lived roughly 2700 years ago, not 3300 years ago.

Tai Chi Gung, which I assume is written 太極功, doesn’t make much sense in Chinese. It’s not a term that I’ve seen mentioned in any of the classics. Does it look like tai chi?

Im suffering from chronic pain for 3 years. I managed to feel more normal days thanks to intermittent fasting. I actually tried very few ways to self-heal, actually just too tired to learn more, my pain caught up on me. I recently got hooked with watching Chinese historical drama. I got so into it, I would dream of the actors and the scenes, and there is something with the ost’s which wires your brain to get addicted and wanting to watch the next episode, lolz! With my new interest in these drama, I could watch 90 episodes, half without English sub titles. ( Im non Chinese speaking Asian)
What I super like most in those serials are the TCM, pulse diagnosis, the herbalist, and the fight scenes and flying part they say qigong. Funny, I know those are all scripted shows, but it birthed a deeper interest in me, to learn how to self heal thru meditation and learning to harness my chi, and hopefully acupuncture.
Im checking on the courses you offer and will contact you the soonest.
In the meantime il watch again episode 10 of Legend of Yunxi..this maybe my 6th time. Lol.
PS. I first learned about Chi in Kung Fu Panda.

Hi Lingwen. May I ask where you learned classical Chinese?

I don’t agree with your assessment. 拳 (quan) only means fist if you translate it literally. But 拳 (quan) is a classical abbreviation of 拳法 (quanfa). If you translate that literally, you get “fist art”. That’s a poor translation. A better translation of quanfa is “martial art”.

So 拳 (quan) means martial art, not fist.

Similarly, the way that you translate gongfu (功夫) is problematic. Yours is a literal translation, but not a good one. That’s just not how the word is used in the modern era. Today, it means “martial art”.

The following articles may be of interest:

https://flowingzen.com/9277/how-tai-chi-lost-its-mojo/

https://flowingzen.com/7966/tai-chi-qi-gong-and-chai-tea/

Hi Blueflame,

I’m not sure how old you are, or why you think that you’re older than other commenters.

My students and readers range in age from 20-95. Like you, many of them have 20+ years of experience. Others are fresh beginners.

On to your point. If I understand you correctly, I think you’re saying that the meditative aspect of qigong is of prime importance.

If so, then I agree. This is the core of my teaching, and something that I’ve been shouting from the rooftops since 2005.

Here’s an article on the subject: https://flowingzen.com/9544/the-number-1-mistake/

Best,
Anthony

P.S. It’s Anthony. “Antony” is how the Brits say it, but don’t listen to them!