Tai Chi Quan
For those of you who do not know much about the ancient Chinese martial art referred to as Tai Chi Quan, it is often described as meditation in motion, an internal martial art, a philosophy of life centered around humility, discipline, and the natural Chi energy that is present in the universe and every living organism.
Tai Chi’s slow under-water like movements are martial, artistic, and meditative. They will challenge both your mind and body, your sense of direction, and when practiced regularly will have immediately felt and long-term health benefits. The more controlled the movement and the slower it is, the more difficult it is physically.
Traditionally, Tai Chi was practiced by Chinese people in the parks and the out-door spaces of China. An image of Purple Bamboo Park in Beijing floods my mind when I think of Tai Chi Quan and recall my last visit there. The photo captures the rich and ancient culture this marital art was born from and is very much embedded in.
Tai Chi Sword in the park
Tai Chi has numerous health and well-being benefits. It is not only a physical and mental practice but also a spiritual one, encompassing the body, mind, and the spiritual/energetic dimensions. I believe we are spiritual beings in psychical bodies on this life’s journey and Tai Chi honors that.
If I have learned anything from my teacher, Shoa Nian Bates, it is that no matter how advanced or proficient you become at the forms there is always another level to master (physically, mentally, & spiritually). Tai Chi is first and for most an art form. It is both structured and creative, external & internal, ying and yang. Every movement has a martial application in which if practiced with that intention would be effective for self-defense. However, in modern times, most of us practice Tai Chi for health, peace of mind, and well-being and the focus is not on self-defense. From my humble perspective, Tai Chi is a very practical and enjoyable self-development practice that I would love to share with you!
I will leave you with my favorite martial art quote from the book 365 Tao: Daily Meditations: Ming Dao-Deng
“To be a good martial artist requires discipline, courage, and perseverance.
A martial artist’s ultimate opponent is one’s own self. There is a wide array of demons to be conquered: fear, laziness, ignorance, selfishness, egotism, and many others.
Talk of overpowering other people is inconsequential. The true nature of victory is to actually overcome one’s own defects. It takes ferocity and determination to overcome the demons within ourselves. Only by this can you become a good martial artist.”
My Story
When I first heard the news of my martial arts teacher leaving Bahrain for good I immediately booked a flight out of Dubai to the tiny island I used to call home so I could spend my last days training with her.
As I arrived in the airport, I was overcome with excitement. Shao had welcomed me to stay at the studio for the larger part of my trip. I looked forward to re-uniting with my teacher and Tai Chi mates, the daily training, the tea breaks in-between, the stories, the sharing of health tips and medicinal recipes, the dosa breakfasts, stealing the show at Gulf hotel or Pashawat with a surprise martial art performance, Friday morning beach training, new year’s/sunrise training, and last but not least Shao’s legendary dumpling parties!
Although I had a place to stay at in Bahrain, we decided that it would be best to camp at the studio, that way I would never miss the early morning training and really lose myself in the world of Tai Chi!
To give you a sense of this magical world created by a truly humble Tai Chi master, (she hates being called master, so this shall be the last time I refer to her as that) I will share snap-shots of it all, including my last stay in the studio, other students in training, post-training meals, nights out with Tai Chi friends, sleep overs, memories from past trips, beach training etc.
Upon arrival, I went straight to the studio, where I would stay for the next ten days. My bed was a down to earth pile of gym mats that I lay my tired body on at the end of a good day’s training. The early bird classes started at 6am. Other students would arrive and a typical training session would begin with a warm up, a lovely warm cup of Chinese tea made with love and then training.
Shao would give classes through-out the day. I would join her in the Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes. After class, we usually went to an Indian breakfast place in Adliyah to have dosa, a lentils dish, and red tea with milk. It was a simple and delicious tradition that Shao and her husband started each Friday morning with the students after a training session.
Some days after training, I would do my own thing, like meet some friends, go out for lunch, train, or go work in a coffee shop and return in time for the evening class.
A Note about Shao
Shoa Nian is a remarkable martial arts teacher, business woman, friend, and an inspiration to many of us (her students) that took up one or a few of her classes in Tai Chi, Wushu, Bagua, Kungfu and Qi Gong at this hidden gem in Bahrain (Bahrain Tai Chi and Wushu Center).
Shao’s coaching and the studio have often provided a sanctuary for me during the ups and downs of my life in Bahrain. The studio always had a nurturing and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that being physically present there took me beyond space and time (a happy blissful place where the mind does not run the show anymore and you are focused on the body, doing and learning the various steps in a form and becoming better at it each day). I have learned a great deal from her over the years and this included but was not limited to the area of martial arts. Myself and her other students enjoyed many adventures and travels together and of course you really get to know those you travel with. So many beautiful friendships and memories were created and shared.
As a person, Shao is humble, kind & big hearted, disciplined, compassionate, non-judgmental, and inspiring. She works hard yet enjoys life to the fullest. She is an embodiment of her life’s-philosophy and demonstrates that alongside daily practice and hard work there is still time for joy, fun, beauty, and laughter.
She sees the best in people, their gifts and talents, and encourages them to never stop discovering and pursuing them. She is a living proof that age does not have to reduce your ability and that getting old is a state of mind more than anything!
Shao focuses on the process rather than the product without neglecting the quality of the product which is usually a form well-performed (a marital art sequence). Her encouraging approach of working towards an objective by focusing on the journey rather than the end goal has really inspired and motivated my learning. For those lessons and blessings, I am in deep gratitude.
Today, on the 25th of August, Shao turns 67. I celebrate with her in spirit, her last birthday in Bahrain, from Dubai (you heard my silly sentence!:P)
Thank you for your deeply felt presence in all our lives! You will be missed and always celebrated. Happy birthday dear Shao!
Your faithful student,
Rawan
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