Move it or lose it! We often hear those words, but many of us are not heeding the warning. Tai chi chih is a simple form of exercise that connects the body and mind through enhanced awareness. It can lower stress and blood pressure, reduce the likelihood of costly falls, and help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. People of all ages and abilities can enjoy the scientifically proven ancient movements. Come learn some basic techniques, and start thinking about how you can promote better health in your Rotary club and community.

1. T’ai Chi Chih!
A Moving Meditation for Mind & Body
Mario diGesu’
T’ai Chi Chih Teacher
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
U.S.A.

2. What if we were Moving More
and sitting less???

3. My
Story…….
Mario diGesu’

6. What we plan to accomplish:
1. Understand the history and basics of
T’ai Chi Chih.
2. Practice posture principles that help improve
symmetry, balance, and energy flow.
3. Let’s Move!
4. Discuss Ideas on encouraging more
Movement in our Clubs.
5. Questions?6.

7. Ancient Chinese Secrets…..
“If I knew I was going to live this long, I
would have taken better care of myself!”
Author..... could be Me and perhaps you!

8. Ancient Chinese Secrets…..
“If I knew I was going to live this long, I
would have taken better care of myself!”
“Healthy Citizens are the greatest asset of
any country.” Winston Churchill

9. Ancient Chinese Secrets…..
“If I knew I was going to live this long, I
would have taken better care of myself!”
“Healthy Citizens are the greatest asset of
any country.” Winston Churchill
T’ai Chi Chih is a “Service to Humanity”.
We would have more love and peace in the
world if people practiced T’ai Chi Chih.
Justin Stone

10. Justin Stone….the Originator of T’ai Chi Chih
*A successful American businessman, Jazz
musician, and artist who traveled and lived
in Japan and India seeking to understand
Eastern philosophy and culture.

11. Justin Stone….the Originator of T’ai Chi Chih
*Traveled and lived in Japan and India
*T’ai Chi Chuan Teacher at the University of
New Mexico in Albuquerque who realized
the traditional forms were difficult to learn.

12. Justin Stone….the Originator of T’ai Chi Chih
*Traveled and lived in Japan and India
*T’ai Chi Chuan Teacher at the University of
New Mexico in Albuquerque who realized
the traditional forms were difficult to learn.
*Originated this unique form called
T’ai Chi Chih that is simple, yet effectively
facilitates the flow of Energy we call “Chi”.

13. Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are.
T’ai Chi Chih helps one find the balance
between these extremes we call
Yin and Yang.
Mario diGesu’

14. T’ai Chi Chih
*What is it?
*Why do it?
*When to do it?
*How to do it?

15. T’ai Chi Chih
*What is it? A SAFE set of 19 movements
and one pose. A soft, flowing, moving
meditation practiced by thousands of
people around the world designed for a
LIFETIME of movement….from 6 to 96.

16. T’ai Chi Chih
*What is it? A SAFE set of 19 movements
and one pose. A soft, flowing, moving
meditation practiced by thousands of
people around the world designed for a
LIFETIME of movement….from 6 to 96.
*T’ai Chi means “The Way”
*Chih means “ Knowledge Of ”

17. T’ai Chi Chih
*What is it? A SAFE set of 19 movements
and one pose. A soft, flowing, moving
meditation practiced by thousands of
people around the world designed for a
LIFETIME of movement….from 6 to 96.
*T’ai Chi means “The Way”
*Chih means “ Knowledge Of ”
*It is a Qi (Chi) Gong “Energy
Exercise”

18. What is “Chi”?
Intrinsic Energy or Vital Force

19. T’ai Chi is the
Balance of Yin and Yang

20. What is “Chi”?
The Balance of Yin and Yang

21. What is “Chi”?
The Balance of Yin and Yang

22. What is “Chi”?
The Balance of Yin and Yang

23. What is “Chi”?
The Balance of Yin and Yang

24. Why do it?
There are lots of evidence based research
showing T’ai Chi is effective for:
* Improving mental, emotional, and
physical balance.

25. Why do it?
* Improving mental, emotional, and
physical balance.
*Reducing falls by improving awareness
and single leg balance.

26. Why do it?
* Improving mental, emotional, and
physical balance.
*Reducing falls.
*Maintaining healthy bone, the place
where Chi is stored.

27. Why do it?
* Improving mental, emotional, and
physical balance.
*Reducing falls.
*Maintaining healthy bone
*Reducing arthritis or fibromyalgia pain

28. Why do it?
* Improving mental, emotional, and
physical balance.
*Reducing falls.
*Maintaining healthy bone
*Reducing arthritis or fibromyalgia pain
*Reducing blood pressure and stress
*

29. T’ai Chi Chih!
Calm the Mind… Move like Water…
Soft…….Flowing……
Everywhere….yet contained.
Mario diGesu’

30. When to do it?
*Practice often. Practice well.
*Early morning and late afternoon.
*Daily practice has cumulative
effect: Wolf’s Law.

31. How to do it?
So glad you asked….
LET’S MOVE!

32. Safety first!
*No Pain, No Pain!
*Move SLOWLY…..
and MINDFULLY.

33. Safety first!
*No Pain, No Pain!
*Move SLOWLY…..
and MINDFULLY.
*If your balance needs work, a
Chair in front and a Chair
behind can prevent falling!

34. Safety first!
*No Pain, No Pain!
*Move SLOWLY…..
and MINDFULLY.
*If your balance needs work, a
Chair in front and a Chair
behind can prevent falling!
*You can sit down and practice.

35. The 5 Way Posture Test
1. Feet grounded as if roots
growing into earth.

36. The 5 Way Posture Test
1. Feet grounded as if roots
growing into earth.
2. Knees soft.

37. The 5 Way Posture Test
1. Feet grounded as if roots
growing into earth.
2. Knees soft.
3. Chest up and shoulders down.

38. The 5 Way Posture Test
1. Feet grounded as if roots
growing into earth.
2. Knees soft.
3. Chest up and shoulders down.
4. Crown of head reaching up as if
suspended by balloons.

39. The 5 Way Posture Test
1. Feet grounded as if roots
growing into earth.
2. Knees soft.
3. Chest up and shoulders down.
4. Crown of head reaching up as if
suspended by balloons.
5. Fun! Joy! Happiness! Gratitude!
Consider internal posture!

40. Mario diGesu’

41. Mario diGesu’

42. Mario diGesu’

43. 1. Graceful Conclusion
2. Rocking Motion
3. Push Pull
4. Carry the Ball
5. Passing Clouds

44. You got to Move it!
Move it!
*Who is your Movement
Champion(s)?

45. You got to Move it!
Move it!
*Who is your Movement
Champion(s)?
*Make Movement an important
part of your Club Culture.

46. You got to Move it! Move it!
*Who are your Movement Champions?
*Make Movement an important part of your
Club Culture.
*Incorporate Movement into your meetings
like a stretch, a guest speaker who
specializes in movement science, an event
such as a walk or a hike, or T’ai Chi Chih!

47. By Moving More with T’ai Chi Chih
and sitting less, we can experience
Joy Through Movement,
changing Ourselves and the World!

48. In closing…..Thanks for coming!
Wishing you…..Sejaku….
“Serenity in the midst of Activity”

49. Wishing you “Seijaku”….
“Serenity in the midst of Activity”
Questions???

50. Resources:
*My email: wellness@windstream.net
*My website:
https://wellness64.wixsite.com/HealthPort
*T’ai Chi Chih Website: taichichih.org
(There is a T’ai Chi Chih Teacher locator here!)
*T’ai Chi Chih Videos and Instructional
Books: Good Karma Publishing
*You Tube Videos: Search “Tai Chi Chih”
* My Rotary Passion Project:
don’tmethwithus.com

51. This presentation and others
from throughout the convention
are available through the
convention mobile app and on
SlideShare at
www.SlideShare.net/Rotary_International.

52. Rate this session in the
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