Recently, I have taken up studying Tai Chi Chuan as a substitute for Karate, which I greatly missed after moving from where my Dojo is.
I have always thought of Tai Chi Chuan as graceful and elegant. I also was dimly aware that it involves working with "chi," or the spirit-energy of the body.
In taking up this teaching, I have found that aspect difficult, but worth pursuing.
Today, I am reading issue #72 of Sacred Hoop magazine. It contains an article on shamanic "poses," from various cultures around the world, with a focus on prehistoric Crete.
My mind instantly made the connection the coonection between the highly-structured positions and movements in Tai Chi Chuan and the shamanic poses in the article.
A key point in the article is that the shamanic poses are accompanied by a rhythmic rattle sound near 200 beats per minute, and the combination of pose and auditory stimulation from the rattle enable "visions" of alternate realities and spirits, with no hallucinigens.
I now find myself wondering if there is a traditional auditory component to Tai Chi Chuan. There is no mention of it in my current teaching. If there isn't, I am curious about introducing shamanic rattling or drumming in Tai Chi Chuan practice.
If anyone has knowledge on this subject, I would like to hear of it.
In peace and harmony,
Dan
