In Taijiquan classes the question arises, ‘What do I do with the eyes?’ and ‘Where am I meant to be looking when I do a particular movement?’ In this blog post, we will look at how the eyes affect movement, and how we use them in Taijiquan. The human eye and movement The eyes play a crucial role in body coordination during movement. Visual input helps in spatial awareness, depth perception, and adjusting body posture. Coordinating eye movements with body movements contributes to balance, stability, and efficient navigation through the environment. The coordination between eye movements and bod ..read more

ShiBaShi Movement 10 – Cloud hands From the last push the mountain movement with the left hand turned over one finger at a time, the arm and hand are left extended with the waist to the right. The right hand resting on the side of the pelvis is moved outward slightly from the body. From this point, with the knees still bent, the waist is now turned to the left with the arms simply ‘tracking’ – as seen in the image above. This is the classic cloud hands as seen in Taijiquan. Once the waist is turned as far as it goes the upper hand is turned palm down and the hands swap positions. The right han ..read more

Burnout at work Introduction I hear this word used a lot today, not only in my health practice setting but more frequently in social settings. People feel burnout in their jobs, work, relationships, carer roles, or in life generally. This has been greatly exacerbated since the pandemic especially here in Victoria Australia where we experienced extended lockdowns. In my work as a remedial massage therapist, I have observed over the last decade, that patients seem to have a chronic baseline of stress which they have normalised. What does this mean? It means they have become unaware that they are ..read more

Introduction: Taijiquan or Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that has gained immense popularity worldwide. It is renowned for its slow, flowing movements and emphasis on relaxation, balance, and harmony. However, Taijiquan encompasses two distinct aspects: one focusing on relaxation and health benefits, and the other on internal martial art techniques. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between Taijiquan as a practice for relaxation and health and Taijiquan as an internal martial art, shedding light on its unique characteristics and benefits. When people consider Taijiq ..read more

Holistic Health: Welcome to today’s blog post, where we delve into the transformative world of Taijiquan and its profound impact on our overall well-being. In this post, we explore the holistic benefits of Taijiquan, encompassing the nervous system, cardiovascular health, respiratory system, and the bones and muscles of our body. Prepare to embark on a journey of self-discovery as we uncover the secrets of this ancient Chinese martial art and meditative exercise. From the tranquil flow of Taijiquan’s movements to the deep connection to the breath, this practice offers a harmonious integration ..read more

Qigong – Alleviating Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression: A Holistic Movement Approach Introduction: In today’s fast-paced world, many individuals battle with the challenges of fatigue, anxiety, and depression. These conditions not only affect our physical well-being but also have a profound impact on our mental and emotional states. Having been through Covid-19 lock-downs and all the fear and hysteria around it in the last few years, mental illness is at an all time high. Depression and anxiety has become a major problem, especially in young people here in Victoria, Australia, which arguably ha ..read more

We completed the last movement, Gaze at the Moon, with the hands returning to just in front of the Dantian with palms facing up. Starting position for push the mountain To commence Push the Mountain, bring the hands back to the body such that the wrists rest on the bony protrusions of the pelvic girdle. They should rest there naturally. This is the starting position for the hands. See the picture above. Now, with the right hand, turn it from palm facing up, to palm facing outward such that the fingers are pointing vertically to the ceiling. The palm should be relaxed and slightly ‘dished’, don ..read more

I am excited to introduce my new health resource page for Tai Chi and Qigong students on the Sifu Peter Blog. This resource covers four essential areas of holistic health: sleep hygiene, stress management, nutrition, and exercise. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can create a foundation for optimal well-being, and lead a balanced, fulfilling life. In the new resource page, we will explore each of these areas in more detail and explain how they can support your overall health and wellness; from optimizing your sleep environment, to managing stress with mindfulness ..read more

Beyond the Physical: How Push Hands and Taijiquan Principles Can Improve Your Life As someone who originally came to Taijiquan for its numerous health benefits, I have recently found myself drawn to the partner exercise of push hands. Push hands is a practice within Taijiquan that allows practitioners to develop their sensitivity to internal energy and apply the principles of Taijiquan in a practical way with a partner. While I initially began practicing Taijiquan for its physical benefits, I have come to realize that its benefits extend far beyond the realm of physical fitness. The principle ..read more

Movement 8 of the ShiBaShi is Gaze at the Moon. It is sometimes called ‘Turning to Gaze at the Moon’. This is a compound movement of the legs, waist, arms and hands. It can be a little tricky when first learning, but feels great when mastered. Movement 8 – Gaze at the Moon Method In order to perfect this movement I would suggest first sitting in a chair, placing your arms across the chest with opposite hand on the opposite shoulder. Sitting facing forward, slowly turn your waist to the left and then to the right. The shoulders should naturally track with the waist, turning as far as your waist ..read more