The Inner Spirals That Connect
A simple but unique approach found within Embodied Tai Chi practice and teaching is the paying attention towards inner sensations (interoception) of muscles, tendons and facia with each Tai Chi posture. These postures develop a spiraling flex traditionally referred to as 'chan ssu chin'. They act to connect the whole body so that it moves with a light natural flowing movement.
This simple interoceptive approach to Tai Chi can be thought of much in the same way Michael Stone describes Lujong Buddhist yoga. Stone suggests that for meditator’s Lujong 'will root the mind in the body' while for people familiar with yoga and other physical practices it 'will help you work through mental chatter, old emotional patterns, and distractions that enevitably arise as you go deeper.' Stone in Taylor Goldfield (2013).
We can also identify a similarity between the Chinese practice of Qigong / Tai Chi, Tibetan Lujong yoga and the Japanese system Do-In (Michio 2021). Indeed in the same way it has been suggested that Hatha yoga postures also have a similar healing effect.
No attempt is being made here to suggest an Embodied Tai Chi interpretation of traditional Tai Chi teaching is somehow superior to all these other Eastern mind - body systems. The simplicity of this physiological approach has no pretensions of grandeur or esoteric enlightenment. Yet it represents a starting point, a way to step into a spiral of becoming aware of our full human potential. By coming back to our self through paying attention to our internal physical sensations we can slow down and stop excessive thinking and physical effort. It is this physiological approach rather than a cognitive mind led meditation that perhaps can be most helpful. It does not rely on the mind to slow down the mind opening an alternative doorway to developing traditional calming mindful practices.
Practicing the spiraling interoceptive movement of Embodied Tai Chi enables us to not only come back to our self but also connect with nature and other beings. The hypothesis to explain this effect suggests Tai Chi posture and breathing stimulate our calming parasympathetic nervous system while paying attention towards the sensation in our body as we move. This quietens and distracts the mind from over thinking.
Using Tai Chi as a way to distract and calm the mind is not a new idea. In the late 1970's Tai Chi was used (Hendlin 2016) as a therapeutic support alongside Transpersonal Psychology (Johnson 2013). A way to see beyond inward focused patterns of habitual thinking. To extend beyond the individual or personal to perceive wider aspects of our environment and other people.
Eckhart Tolle suggests another explanation for the transpersonal effect of this spiraling interoceptive mindful movement. He suggests it creates a '... gap of alert attention in which the perception occurs' and that ' ... there is a brief cessation in habitual stream of thinking. Consciousness is diverted away from thought because it is required to sense perception.' (Tolle 2015, p.253). Our ability to come back to our self, slow down and create gaps in our stream of thinking seems to have this transpersonal effect. As Tolle (2015, p.253) suggests: 'The frequency and duration of these spaces determines your ability to enjoy life, to feel an inner connectedness with other human beings as well as nature.' 'It also determines the degree to which you are free of ego ...'
This form of interoception also takes us away from the discontentment perpetuated by a consumerist society that seeks to sell us ever more products. We may as Eckhart Tolle suggests use this method of interoception by ' ... shifting your attention from the external form of your body and from thoughts about your body - beautiful, ugly, strong, week, too fat, too thin - to the feeling of aliveness inside it.' (Tolle 2015, p.52). Not through 'subtle feelings of aliveness inside' but the more accessible neurological sensations of muscles, tendons and facia.
To be able to come back to our self, slow down and stop is a way of self care, compassion for self. It develops feelings of calm, peace and contentment. We step into a spiral of perceiving how we are connected to others and our environment. It is at the heart of the activism of Joanna Macy albeit as a less refined approach. It has the same aims as Hilary Prentice support for activism but with a physiological rather than cognitive approach.
Slowing down and stopping is not a passive action but a place from which we can take effective thoughtful action. For example before we practice the Tai Chi form we seek stillness or Wu Chi.
This transpersonal connection with a world outside of meeting our immediate needs may be describe as developing a calm, peaceful or contented feeling. Taoism may call thus feeling 'being or flowing the Tao', other systems may call it by a different name. Tolle (2015, p.238-9) calls this thought-full action 'right action'. He suggests that when we find our calm, peaceful and contented place we will 'know' what to do rather than rationalise a way forward. ' ... if action is possible or necessary, you take action or rather right action happens through you' (Tolle 2025, p.238). Importantly after taking that action the calm, peaceful and contented feeling remains. If you find yourself taking credit or being disappointed by the action Tolle suggests that action may have resulted from your ego rather than your calm, peaceful, contented transpersonal self.
Summary
It has been suggested here that the simple physiological flexing spiral movement of Embodied Tai Chi can help us slow down and stop, this connects us more effectively to our external world. We begin to see the similaritites between things rather than isolating differences. This in turn allow us to intuitively take effective action at the most appropriate time.
A flexing spiral approach interpreted from traditional Tai Chi teaching is not an exciting new system but rather a method of acting. It can be used as a starting point with your existing practice, whatever that may be. It's an inner physical spiral that connects us to greater external spirals like Joanna Macy's 'The Spiral That Connects'.
This work has been inspired by Hilary Prentice and Transition Town Totnes as a way of supporting environmental and social activists. To this end all information, video support material and workshops is designated open source and provided free if charge.
Reference
Hendlin, S. J. (2016). Meditation and the mindfulness trend in psychotherapy: Reflections through the prism of a 50-year meditator: Psychotherapy Bulletin, 51(3), 34-43.
Johnson, Don Hanlon (2013) Transpersonal Dimensions of Somatic Therapies: ACADEMIA, dated April 22, 2013, pdf:
Michio Kushi (2021) The Do-In Way: Gentle Exercises to Liberate the Body, Mind, and Spirit: Simon and Schuster, 20 Oct 2021
Taylor Goldfield, Rose (2013) Training the Wisdom Body, Buddhist Yogic Exercise: ISBN 978-1-61180-018-0, Shambhala Publications Inc, 26th October 2025, Elizabeth's Bookshops, Fremantle WA
Tolle Eckhart (2015) A New Earth, Create A Better Life: Australia, Griffin Press, found SALVOs Banksia Grove 23rd October 2025