1. Tai Chi: Meditation in Movement Elena Babakhanyan Anthropology 121 Dr. Leanna Wolfe October 22, 2010

2. Tranquility of a Natural Setting I visited a tai chi group composed of about 30 people. They practice on Sunday mornings from 7:30 AM 9:00AM at Brand Park in Glendale. It is practiced at the park because it is convenient and low cost. The fresh air provides a lot of healing for the lungs and it is very relaxing to practice in a serene, natural setting. The group meets early in the morning because waking up with the sun provides a lot of energy. The group was like a family because of the warmth, love and good energy they bestowed to each other.

3. Cleansing the Aura The founder of the group Levon Mosinyan, placed this sandalwood incense stick in the center of the circle that the group formed. Several essences were burned to provide aromatherapy, create a mood, assist meditation, and as the instructor said, to help cleanse the aura from the negative and stressful energies which have overburdened the members’ auras throughout the entire week. As I was doing the exercises and the wind blew the smell towards me, I realized that my negative and stressful thoughts ceased and I began concentrating on the pleasant smell which helped me relax.

4. Mixed Attire Attire varied from person to person. Some people simply wore sweats or leggings with t-shirts or tank tops while others wore traditional Tai Chi clothes. These were polyester and cotton made loose pants and tops with Chinese writing, peace signs or other symbols on them. These outfits were not required because the instructor did not want to turn a spiritual ritual into something that emphasized physical appearance like most other events in our society. Also, they did not want people who passed by and observed, to feel like they could not join the group because they would not fit in.

5. Tuning the Chakras through Breathing Exercises Before the group actually starts doing tai chi they spend about an hour doing other exercises and techniques which help stimulate, strengthen and heal all parts of the body, including the mouth, tongue, eyes, nose, etc. Perhaps the most emphasis is put on the breathing exercises. For example, they might hold their breath, bend forward and stuck their stomachs in fives times and come back up and breath out. The purpose of this exercise is to raise the energy level up through the seven chakras of the body. Since each chakra is associated with and organ or gland, this exercise can be very helpful to cure problems in certain areas or prevent problems. In this picture they are turning the invisible energy ball to the left and right with their breathes held in and once they come back to the front they release their breath.

6. Tai Chi Chuan After the exercises, the instructor has a short talk, which may be about religion, traditional cures, nutritional knowledge, etc. and gives advice on spiritual growth and raising vibrations, even through the pressures of society. Then they perform the 24 form Tai Chi two times. A CD is played during Tai Chi. The first part of the CD is a man talking about the origins, benefits, and purpose of Tai Chi. The second part is just relaxing music. This is done to further enhance the tranquil mood and to raise vibrations through music. Not everyone in the group knows the entire 24 form and they are not taught step by step. Instead they have to learn through observation. Often times it takes years to master the art, which helps the person practice the virtue of patience. It also helps tame the ego, through the lack of attention received and through the inability to be the best at something and show yourself off.

7. Yin and Yan in Tai Chi The CD explained that Tai Chi Chuan is a classical Chinese Exercise practiced for its many great health benefits. It is a slow-motion, moving meditative exercise for relaxation, health and self-defense. Tai Chi Chuan is directly translated to "Supreme Ultimate Boxing." The "Supreme Ultimate" here refers to the Tao, the structure within which the dualities of Yin and Yang manifest themselves. The reference to the Tai Chi in this context suggests that the art contains within itself all that is necessary for these dynamic forces to interact and be reconciled. This is shown through the movements, shapes, and patterns of breathing. The character Chuan refers to a school or method of boxing or combat.

8. Bowing: A Sign of Humility and Respect After completing Tai Chi. The instructor turns around and bows to the people, thanking them for their presence, respect, love and pursuit of a spiritual path. The people thank him back and also bow to him. He bows with two hands together, pointing upward, and positioned in front of his chest. He explained that the two hands represented the person bowing and the person who is being bowed at. They are put together to represent oneness, unity, and a similar path. The hands are pointing up to God. So this form of bowing means “you and me are one with God” . He also explained that bowing is a sign of respect. It also helps a person practicing modesty by learning to be thankful to others and taking time and effort to bow at someone.

9. Spiritual Cleansing After finishing Tai Chi, the group takes about ten minutes to pray and meditate. They pray to God, ask for forgiveness, or anything else they might want. They are also reminded to send out peace, love, and happiness to the world by repeating in their minds “Let there be peace on Earth, let there be happiness, let there be love”. This is done to raise vibration, form a connection with the Astral Plane, and also so that the person’s mind will not go on to thinking other things. During this prayer/meditation an Armenian version of the Lord’s prayer is being played softly in the background under relaxing music. After the Lord’s Prayer, meditation continues under Celine Dion’s “Ave Maria.” Some people do this standing up with their palms facing forward, some put their hands together in front of them, and some sit in the lotus position.

10. Meditation for all Ages The group is composed of both men and women of a various ages. There is people in their 70’s, 60’s, 50’s, 40’s, 30’s, 20’s, teenagers, and even a few younger kids. Grandparents and parents bring their offspring to the group in order to help them avoid all the mistakes they made in their life due to the lack of wisdom and faith. The kids participate in the beginning exercise, the tai chi and also the meditation. Parents said that by bringing their kids to hear about these types of things, gives them a piece of mind and assurance for the future. The younger people that I spoke to said that these exercises and teachings help them release the stress of school and also help them differentiate between right and wrong at an age when peer pressure can completely annihilate their life.

11. Tai Chi with the Fan After the 24 form Tai Chi, the instructor teaches chunks of a different type of tai chi using a fan to a handful of the adolescents. This is also a graceful tai chi which can be done in quick, strong motions for self defense. He explained that the fan was used by Chinese women as a weapon. Originally, the back of the fan used to have knives attached to it, which they used to attack enemies. I was happy to see these teens away from computers and video games and focusing their divine energy on an art that would help them relax and improve the condition of their body and mind.