陈娟：太极拳的哲学启示

陈娟：太极拳的哲学启示

CHEN JUAN GOING WITH THE FLOW

Text by Madeline Weng Photos by Zeng Jian and Chen Zhenglei Taichi Studio

N=NIHAO

C=CHEN JUAN

N: What is the core value of Taichi?

C: The value of Taichi lies in helping its practitioners to combine and balance their body and soul.Similar to Chinese medicine, Taichi helps you to recuperate from the inside out.That is why Taichi is also called“exercise prescription”.Its every move aims to make the practitioner healthier and more energetic.Taichi not only helps in improving one's immune system, but also blood circulation.

Comparing to most other forms of exercise, Taichi does not do any physical harm to the body, since all its moves are physiologically natural.

Another core value of Taichi is changing.Taichi moves convey the philosophy of “yin (meaning feminine and negative)” and “yang (meaning masculine and positive)” Ð when “yin” goes to its extreme, it naturally turns “yang” and vice versa.This rule, also known as “extremes meet”, teaches us to change our logic or our approach when encountering seemingly unsolvable issues in our daily life.

N: Can you explain what “Neili (inner force)” is?

C: “Neili” is the innate power of the human body.Think of it as a well-trained troop, which instantly lines up the moment its General gives an order.Combining the inner force to an accelerated speed, a Taichi master can push a person up to 10 meters away with little effort.

N: As a keen instructor of “Prenatal Taichi”, what are its main benefits?

C: During the fi rst three months of pregnancy, a woman may have trouble coping with the body's reaction to the pregnancy.Therefore, I do not recommend women in this phase to practice Taichi.

I recommend women to practice Taichi during the fourth and seventh month of their pregnancy.By then, the fetus has become more rooted and stable.Although pregnant women become tired easily, the doctors would usually advise them not to stay at home for too long.While some western experts suggest pregnant women jog, I prefer Taichi much more.It simply makes me feel more comfortable and energetic afterwards.

Exercise at a sensible amount helps the mother's blood to circulate better, which is bene fi cial for nutrient delivery.In addition, women learn to improve their breathing during practice, which in turn makes the birthing process smoother and easier.

N: How do you think Taichi will develop in the future?

C: The fi rst inevitable development of Taichi is industrialization.I believe that one day Taichi will start to create massive commercial value just like gyms and Taekwondo.

The second tendency is “culturalization”.Scholars from all over the world have long started to do research on Taichi.During the past 30 years of his dedication to taking Taichi abroad, my father, Chen Zhenglei, has come to realize that Taichi has become one of the most essential channels for the western world to understand China.

The third tendency is “medicalization”.Twenty years ago western countries began their research on the effectiveness of Taichi for easing bodily pain, as well as the rehabilitation process.Both The University of California and Harvard University have deepened their research in the ancient system.They are now more interested in knowing Taichi's in fl uence on the human brain.

N: Have you ever thought about writing a book about Taichi?

C: As a matter of fact, I just turned down a publisher.

There are countless books on the market that talk about Taichi moves.If I write a book, I would make it more thought-provoking and philosophical.Yet I still think I need to spend more time accumulating experiences through teaching and researching.After all, I am not in a rush Ð Taichi is my lifetime career and I've still got enough time!

N: 太极拳的核心价值和理念是什么？

C: 我认为太极拳的价值在于帮助习练者达到一种身心合一的状态。

太极拳不仅可以增强习练者的免疫力，还可以使其气血旺盛，精神充沛。太极拳又被称为“运动处方”，因为它每一个动作都会让习练者的心血更畅通，像开药方一样有针对性。太极拳不同于“治标不治本”的西药，是像中医一样由内而外地调理。此外，相比其他大部分运动，太极拳不会对人体造成运动伤害。这是因为它所有的动作都符合生理规律，而顺应自然的东西往往更容易为大众所接受。大自然在运转的时候，会淘汰不协调的事物，因此年轻人不该熬夜，到点就得睡觉、起床、吃饭，让自己的生理规律和大自然相契合，当你与自然达到和谐，它自然而然会滋养你。

太极的另外一个核心理念是变化。太极拳招式里蕴含着“阴极至阳，阳极至阴”的道理。打个比方，在运行动作的过程中，习练者绝不能逆行而上，因为逆行只会让动作越行越背。而这个时候，只需转换方向，即可逆变顺而通。这个哲理告诉我们，在生活和工作中遇到瓶颈时要及时转换思维。

N: “内力”是什么？

C: “内力”是人本身自有的力量。“内气”好比人们体内的士兵，将领大旗一挥，士兵就会聚集起来形成有序的排列，从而形成“内劲”。在此基础上，配以招数动作和内气加速度，即可形成“内功”。经过日积月累的练习，习拳者能够巩固先天自然之气，练就一身“内功”，做到稍一“起手”，就有沉甸甸的感觉。

N: 作为“孕妇太极”的倡导者，您可以讲解一下孕妇练习太极的功效和需要注意的地方吗？

C: 在怀孕初期，由于孕吐等早孕反应，孕妇通常连日常生活的应对都有困难，更不要说进行有强度的训练。因此，怀孕前三个月练习太极拳要谨慎。待到第四个月胎儿稳定后，孕妇容易感到疲劳，但我不建议这个阶段的孕妇在家久坐。外国专家提倡孕妇跑步，我亲测后总有提前入盆的感觉。相比之下，练拳却能让我感觉轻松舒服，同时更好地恢复精力。

因此，怀孕四个月到七个月之间的孕妇，大可通过练习精简的太极套路提高身体素质。适当的运动不仅有助于母体气血等运行，对胎儿的营养输送也有帮助。同时，长期习练太极的女性，由于气足，善于调整呼吸、提气、聚气和涌气，生产的时候能够托住气，整个生产过程会更加顺利。

N: 您认为未来太极拳的发展趋势是怎样的？

C: 太极拳的第一个必然趋势是“产业化”。有一天太极拳也会像健身房、跆拳道那样产生巨大的商业价值。太极拳产业化、资本化之后，将推动更多的人开始学习和传播太极拳，推动中国特色体育产业的发展。

太极拳传播的第二个必然趋势是“文化化”。随着中国的复兴和崛起，全球各地的学者开始将太极拳作为一种传统哲拳来研究。三十多年来，家父陈正雷在海外传播太极拳的过程中发现，太极拳已经成为西方世界了解和再认识中国的重要渠道。第三个大趋势是“医学化”。西方国家从二十年前就开始研究太极对于慢性疾病康复及减缓病人疼痛感等方面的积极影响。而今，美国加利福尼亚大学和哈佛大学更进一步地深化了研究领域，开始讨论太极拳对人类脑波和意念的影响。

N: 作为太极拳界毋庸置疑的权威，您近期会有著书计划吗？

C: 实际上，不久前还有出版社找我合作，被我婉拒了。市面上不缺乏有关太极拳技术的书。当下的我还需要更多的沉淀，继续通过教学和思考酝酿出更能引发思辨的作品。反正这辈子我就认定做这一行了，出书的事情，我不着急！