Exploring Tai Chi practice with ruler and bang

Incorporating elements of yoga, Tai Chi, and qigong into my fitness routine has become a significant part of my daily life, especially during my morning rituals. I also exercise regularly with Indian clubs, Persian meels and and a steel mace. Swinging Persian meels is often referred to as meditation in motion or Persian yoga.

However, I recently encountered challenges with my hands, resulting from a combination of arthritis and an injury likely stemming from excessive use of a computer mouse. These issues have made certain exercises involving heavy weights, such as kettlebell swinging, increasingly difficult. Furthermore, I’ve had to scale back my paddling training.

To address these concerns, I have been diligently undergoing various hand therapies, including stretching, exercises, massage, Epson salt baths, and applying different creams. I have expanded my hand workouts to encompass not only my morning routine but also the evenings and other times throughout the day. Simultaneously, I have been searching for gentler forms of exercise that I can sustain over the next two decades or so. I always like to learn and explore new skills which has led me to the world of Tai Chi.

As a photographer and visual artist, I am naturally drawn to new tools and equipment. Whenever I embark on unfamiliar activities, I capture the experience through photography and eventually progress to shooting videos as I become more adept. Recently, I acquired a Tai Chi ruler and bang from Mystery Samurai on Etsy. Excellent and beautiful wooden objects. Prompt and fast shipping despite of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. They were delivered in 2 weeks from Ukraine to my home in Colorado.

Tai Chi Ruler:

1. Goal: The Tai Chi ruler is primarily used for energy cultivation, meditation, and internal awareness.
2. Shape and Usage: The ruler has round smooth ends and is typically held by both hands. It is used as a focal point for meditation and moved in specific ways to facilitate the flow of energy through the body’s meridians (energy channels).
3. Benefits: The Tai Chi ruler helps in healing, relaxation, and deepening one’s understanding of Tai Chi principles. It enhances internal awareness and promotes the harmonious flow of energy.

Tai Chi Bang:

1. Goal: The Tai Chi bang is primarily used for physical movement, alignment, and martial applications within Tai Chi.
2. Shape and Usage: The bang is longer than the ruler and held with both hands. It serves as an extension of the body and is used for practicing Tai Chi movements and techniques. It helps develop strength, flexibility, coordination, and alignment.
3. Benefits: The Tai Chi bang improves balance, posture, and understanding of martial applications within Tai Chi forms. It enhances physical conditioning, body mechanics, and the integration of Tai Chi principles into martial techniques.

In summary, the Tai Chi ruler focuses more on energy cultivation, meditation, and internal awareness, while the Tai Chi bang emphasizes physical movement, alignment, and martial applications. The ruler is used as a tool for energy flow and meditation, whereas the bang is used for physical practice, strength, and martial understanding.

It’s worth mentioning that the specific practices and applications of these tools can vary depending on the style or lineage of Tai Chi being followed.

As I am currently in the learning and exploration stage, I have found numerous helpful resources on YouTube. Tai Chi choreography may appear deceptively simple, but it can become quite complex when adding philosophical and spiritual layers to its practice. Here are some videos on the Tai Chi ruler and bang that I have watched so far:

• Tai Chi ruler demo
• Tai Chi bang (stick) training
• Introduction to Taiji ruler
• Tai Chi ruler walking for active recovery and conditioning

Royalty free pictures

Most of my images and some video clips used in this blog are available for licensing as royalty free images on Adobe stock, and other agencies.