What You Need to Know to Learn and Practice Tai Chi as an Internal Art

Although people of all faiths practice this remarkable mind-body discipline around the world, Tai Chi is not a religion; rather, it’s synonymous to yin-yang. Thus, Tai Chi is known as one of China’s Nei Jia or Internal arts. Internal here simply means inside, not Buddhism. It refers to the natural innate primordial qualities of human beings, such as the soul, mind, sensory functions, sinews, etc. As an internal art, one of Tai Chi’s main objectives is to develop what is called Nei Chin or internal strength. Nei Chin is the internal power source used in Tai Chi movements. In order to develop Nei Chin or internal strength one must first focus on harmonizing the external with the internal. This requires one to become fully aware of the synergy at work within one’s own mind and body during each movement. It is said: “Do not seek the external, seek the internal. That is the heart of the matter.” 

This profound principle speaks to the heart of the matter. So, in training Tai Chi Mind-Body Exercises, one should seek the internal not the external. When you’re able to bring this awareness into your practice the special external form postures and movements of Tai Chi will become that much more fulfilling and rewarding. So, one of the main goals of Tai Chi Mind-Body Exercises is to help you become more aware of the role of your internals within the experience of movement. 

This experience is about being fully present and having the knowledge of where your internals are. This also includes hands, feet, elbows and knees, forming connections to each other as a whole. 

Also, when practicing Tai Chi there should be a new realization of your relationship within the spatial matrix of your surroundings. Tai Chi has been developed over five centuries to increase wisdom and bravery and to help its practitioners become Tai Chi fit, healthy and strong across one’s life-span. Perhaps this is the reason why people of all faiths, around the world are attracted to and practice Tai Chi.