Last year, I attended the Tai Chi retreat at the Lake Dewar Lodge and thoroughly enjoyed learning new routines from Senior Master Chin Min and Master Yan, and making new friends.  Hence I did not want to miss this year's retreat, during 14-16 November 2008, and I was very much looking forward to it again!

My contribution to “My Tai chi story” was of that one day, 10 years ago.  I woke up and could not get out of bed due to severe back pain.  It was due to the stress at work and having a desk job.  At that time, I only did walking for exercise, but I knew I had to do more.  I saw the Celestial Tai Chi college advertisement in the local paper and within a few months of attending the Doncaster classes led by Mario and Tony, I felt so much better and I now rarely get back problems.  Other people in the group shared how Tai Chi was part of their rehabilitation for recovery from a hip replacement, cancer and stroke.  Others shared how Tai Chi helped to improve their general well being, to help deal with stresses of work, arthritis and back pain.  The deep breathing techniques helped one person to avoid getting severe seasickness on a recent overseas holiday.  Even children can enjoy the benefits of the calming effects of Tai Chi to help cope with the demands and expectations put on them.

This November the Teachers from the Faculty of Further Education of NMIT had a special opportunity to practise Yang Style Tai Chi and Chi Kung at their annual Professional Development Day at Epping Campus. Talks and hands-on tasks on online learning, numeracy, literacy, language acquisition and diverse other topics were crowned with Tai Chi.

2008 Victorian TAFE Administrative Officers’ Conference was recently held at NMIT Conference Centre in Melbourne. It was organised by NMIT Meetings and Events students with the support of NMIT Cookery as well as the students from the Personal Services Department and Fairfield Music Department.

About 150 participants from TAFE Institutes all around Victoria attended sessions on different topics, but most of them came to an energizing Tai Chi session, organised by the Celestial Tai Chi College of Australia.

A journey of 1000 miles starts with just a single step.

If you ever think you know everything about Tai Chi there is still more to learn.

A single Yang would not grow, an isolated Yin would not live.

Whoever practices Tai Chi diligently and correctly will gain the pliability of a child, the health of a lumberjack and the peace of mind of a sage.

I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.

Tai Chi is a recreational fitness system of flowing movements designed to exercise and develop the mind and body in unison. The movements are performed at a slow dream‐like pace, with deep concentration and diaphragmatic breathing to transport one to a state of tranquil relaxation. It utilizes the principle of non‐physical exertion and internal organic exercise by way of corrective breathing, controlled stretching and gentle artistic movements.

It is regarded as the highest health exercise system ever developed, and highly regarded as the psychological and physiotherapeutic part of Chinese medicine. Tai Chi works by regulating and improving the circulation of “Chi” (meaning “life‐energy”) throughout the body by acting on the central nervous system and blood, saliva and other body fluid systems which helps improve mental well‐being, health and healing properties and controls stress. While it is a form of relaxation it also requires concentration on the movements which is why it is regarded as a form of “moving meditation”, allowing us to put aside the usual cares and stresses of everyday life.