Tristar© Taiji and Health
Author: Rong Li (Founder of Tristar Taiji)

Story of Tristar Taiji

Tristar Taiji (Tai Chi) originated 4,800 years ago from the culture of the ancient “Ba-Shuk” nation of the Sanxingdui in Sichuan, China. The “Ba-Shuk” natives recognized the importance of the harmany of the “Heaven, Earth and Man”. The styles of Tristar Taiji are composed in accordance with the basic rules of the Taiji (Tai Chi) martial arts and with the combination of the oriental healing arts of meridian pressings and the inspiration by the stances of the valuable statues excavated by the archeologists from the Sanxungdui ruins. Tristar Taiji can be divided into 2 parts – “Gong” and “Quan”.

Cultural Significance of Sanxingdui

These excavated statues found in the Sanxingdui did show something peculiar and mystical about their religion. The Ba-Shuk natives believed that by worshiping their gods of heaven and earth, they would achieve good health and peace. During the rites of worship, they would perform different stances of standing and squatting. By repeating these movements with concentration they would experience an energy that was generated and kept circulating throughout their bodies. They could feel this flow of energy interact with Heaven and Earth. Through this interaction they achieved the healthy feelings of balance and tranquility in their body and soul. The Sanxingdui were full of wisdom. They had learned about the circular concept of Yin-Yang (complimentary opposites) and the pattern of the Five Elements of life. Taiji is a spherical exercise. From the stances of these excavated statues, we can see how they held out their arms in a circular style. The way the stood and squatted showed that they had mastered the correct postures of Qi exercises and became united with Heaven and Earth to materialize the “all in one” and “one in all” concept. This kind of exercise became the early stages of practicing Qi Gong (vital energy). The Tristar natives fathered together for worship believing the force of energy produced would integrate the whole universe uniting as one. To be in the state of “all in one” is regarded as the supreme state of perfection in modern Qi Gong and Taiji.

The Principles of Maintaining Good Health

Although Tristar Taiji originated from the historical culture of the Sanxingdui, it has the sametheory as Taiji, Yin-Yang and the Five Elements which all follow the same rule of nature’s path – the universe parallels humans in possessing the power to refine the myriad creatures and humans paralles the universe in having the same refining power within themselves.

They are interacting with each other under the same cosmic principles. Taiji means “Supreme Ultimate” representing the primes of the universe. Every living creature is born and will eventually die, formulating a beginning and an end. Day comes and night goes and vice versa. This is al in a cycle. The nature of Heaven and Earth is like a full circle of return, repeat, renew, and restore. Where there is leaving; there is returning. Taiji is Yin-yang. Practicing Qi Gong and Taiji Quan will help balance and refine the flow of the Yin and Yang energy in the body.

The Theories of Tristar Taiji Exercise

Tristar Taiji is divided into 2 parts – the Tristar Qi Gong and Tristar Taiji Quan. Both are for the training and upgrading of our bodies and suitable for people with different health conditions and requirements. The theories of Tristar Taiji include (1) up-down, left-right direction co-ordinations, (2) balance awareness, (3) opposing yet harmonious oneness, (4) roundness, (5) hollow and solid transfer, (6) the inside and outside unity, (7) alignment of the head, abdomen and feet, the co-ordination of shoulders, joints, wrists, knee and heels, (8) the interlock system of the head, neck, shoulder, chest, waist, abdomen, pelvis, knees and heels. The rhythm in the movements of the upper, middle, and lower parts of the body will act as a controlling center interacting with our body’s different organs to maintain total healthiness and well-being.

Exercise and Health

Exercise and health often goes hand in hand but there are certain differences that should be noted.

• Exercise is a series of physical movements of certain intensity designed to make the body fit and strong. Health is the general condition of your body in terms of soundness, vitality and proper functioning. The right amount of exercise can always bring health benefits. Nearly everyone can benefit from some level of exercise – young and old alike. But exercise should be age appropriate. Low-impact workouts are generally recommended for those who have reached a certain age.
• Strike a balance between health and exercise. Different age groups have different needs. Young people with their high energy level and physical fitness can often do more vigorous exercise. But if you are in the middle or senior age group you may have to reconsider all the different factors and choose some other forms of exercise. Taiji and Qi Gong are both excellent and you can adjust the intensity to suit yourself. It will prevent you from premature aging and keep your body strong and fit.