International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium: The Taiji Science Panel Discussion with Grandmasters

Reported by Matthew Komelski

From left to right: Dave Barrett (facilitator), Jack Yan (interprator), Dr. Kevin Chen, GM Sun Yongtian; GM Ma Hailong; GM Wu Wenhan; GM Yang Zhenduo; GM Chen Zhenglei; Dr. Yang Yang (Moderator); Dr. Ruth Taylor-Piliae; Dr. Shin Lin; Dr. Peter Wayne; Dr. Ge Wu; Dr. Mary Jurisson.

On one side of the stage sat a panel of Taiji grandmasters, including GM Chen Zhenglei, GM Yang Zhenduo, GM Ma Hailong, GM Wu Wenhan, and GM Sun Yongtian. On the other was a panel of top researchers, including Dr. Ge Wu, Dr. Shin Lin, Dr. Peter Wayne, Dr. Ruth Taylor-Piliae and Dr. Mary Jurisson. The program billed the gathering as an open forum on the state of the art.” And when it was done, it was clear, as Dr. Yang emphasized in a keynote address, that Taiji has both a profound past and a promising future.

This article discusses some of the information and advice the grandmasters and leading Taiji researchers shared on the first night. Jack Yan and Dr. Kevin Chen (also a researcher) translated for the masters, and Master Chun Man Sit helped clarify translations and meanings for me.

As questions were asked, each of the researchers thanked the grandmasters for their lifelong commitment to their art, and for their willingness and generosity in meeting to discuss the future of Taiji research. The grandmasters also expressed thanks and delight that such distinguished scientists were doing research on Taijiquan; they seemed quite confident that this line of research would yield rewards for all humanity.

What follows are highlights of the discussion, condensed and compressed for clarity.

How has your understanding of Taiji changed over the years?

Grandmaster Sun said that he has come to understand the potential for Taiji to be a positive influence on personal psychology, personality and health. He specifically mentioned having to deal with a lot of work related stress. His solution: "I practice Taiji once, and I’m feeling better. I practice a second time, and I’m in heaven."

Grandmaster Ma said that self-cultivation has long been a major theme in the Chinese classics. Cultivated, harmonious individuals create harmonious families and societies. Taiji has helped him face life’s ups and downs with greater equanimity, he said.

Rectitude is an important principle in both Taiji and traditional Chinese thought, Grandmaster Wu added excitedly: "If leaders and officials are not upright and just, how can the people be upright and just? Taiji teaches us to lead by example. Do not ask others to do what you would not do yourself!"

How do we modify Taiji to work with special-needs populations?

Grandmaster Yang: Get people to do what they can. Even if it is only one movement, even if it is only cloud hands. Essentially all of the various short forms are already adaptations to meet the needs of special populations—college students for instance (laughter). The most important thing is to get people moving comfortably, in whatever way that they can.

Beginners should not use postures that are too low. Long-time practitioners have adjusted to low postures, but beginners are not used to this and it can cause a lot of pain. It is also important to keep the knees and toes aligned, and not to drag the back foot in ways that torque or collapse the knee.

Grandmaster Chen: Through my relationship with an instructor in the U.S., we have begun to work on adaptive forms of practice using Taiji and qigong movement. We have begun to organize and implement this routine in some nursing homes in the US.

Grandmaster Ma: The Taiji principle of elongating the spine and suspending from the top of the head is very good for the central nervous system. Those who cannot move a lot can still achieve benefit from this, even if they are seated.

Dr. Shin Lin of the University of California, Irvine, well-known biomedical researcher, posed the following question: The National Institutes of Health are ready to heavily fund Taiji research. Could you tell us what kind of biomarkers we might want to look for as we move forward?

Grandmaster Chen: I know that Dr. Shin Lin and his colleagues are already taking many measures: Bio-photons (light emitted from the body), heat, electricity, skin conductivity, etc. But I think it is also very important to consider psychological changes and changes in thinking. Throughout my Taiji career I have noticed that I have grown more flexible mentally, and resilient in many aspects of my life. For instance, as long as I am practicing regularly, I do not seem to be effected by jet lag, or by changes in diet as I travel to different countries. In Chinese we have this saying "immutable to place and insult." I think Taiji has helped me achieve that.

Grandmaster Sun: As people begin to grow old, they lose strength quite quickly, even as soon as after age 30. I have seen that Taiji can sustain function as people age, and helps to prevents degeneration. It also nurtures that spirit which is important to long life.

Grandmaster Ma: I think that Taiji creates changes at the cellular level. In muscle for instance, there are fast and slow twitch fibers. Moving slowly as in Taiji and swimming, allows the accumulation of potential power, without doing the kind of damage that fast movements cause. I believe this somehow affects the white muscle. Also, the slow movement and elongation of the spine in Taiji leads to positive changes in the central nervous system that should be investigated.

GM Wu: I also think that Taiji might help with the obesity issue I see here in Nashville. When I go out there are so many obese people, children too! Also, I think Taiji can help women to be more beautiful (laughter). Seriously, people spend a lot of money on beauty products, but Taiji cultivates an enduring beauty. There needs to be research in this area. I think women would want to know this!

To finish the evening Yang Laoshi, the chief moderator, posed a question along with an interesting anecdote:

Dr. Yang: After being invited to a conference to give a talk about dan tian, I was very surprised to find out that this corresponds to the recent Western concept of core strength, an idea that has only been relevant to Western science for the last 15-20 years. That was a big surprise for me. Now I would like to ask all of our panelists, what was your one big surprise in Taiji?

GM Ma: I am 75 you see. I like to ride my bicycle. I am a little overweight, and it is good exercise. Recently I was hit by a car and my bike was totaled. Somehow I felt danger, and I was able to spring off of my bike. I flew through the air and hit the ground. Many people came and were very concerned. I was a little surprised, too, because I was completely unharmed. I think that Taiji must have helped my reflexes. This is also an important area to consider for research: changes in reflex capacity, as well as changes in tissue at the cellular level.

Dr. Wu Ge: I was surprised to see the benefits that a 94 year old gentleman was able to receive in a class I was observing. When he came to the first session he could not stand to do the movement, he just sat and watched. However after coming to all the sessions by the end of the program he was able to get up and join in to do all 24 forms.

GM Wu: I am always amazed at how Taiji can have so many social benefits. I was surprised recently when one of my students formed very close relationship while teaching Taiji in Brazil. He actually married one of his Taiji classmates. I think Taiji can help young people meet, and serve as means for social and cultural exchange.

GM Sun: I have come to see that Taiji can help people have a brighter future. This is because Taiji practitioners can self-regulate. They learn to balance themselves, and often do not need to seek other means for mental health. They achieve and maintain mental and physical harmony individually and that allows for harmony in home and society. This is a brighter future for all.

Dr. Yang asked Grandmaster Yang to finish with some closing remarks.

Grandmaster Yang: Thank you all for coming. This has been really wonderful! I would close by saying that while Taijiquan originated in China, it is a treasure for all humanity. We can all benefit from it, but you must practice regularly. In your practice, I hope you will all take the time to understand "Taiji relaxation." This is a very deep and important aspect of your Taiji practice. "Taiji relaxation" can have a profound impact on you and on your life, so please take the time to experience this in your Taiji. Thank you and goodnight.