The Interoceptive Mindfulness of Embodied Tai Chi
A core principle underpinning Embodied Tai Chi (Hunt 2023) is an internal awareness of the sensations and feelings in our physical body that can best be described as interoceptive mindfulness.
Here Mindfulness can be defined as 'bringing one's attention to whatever is happening in the present moment' (Wikipedia 2025a) through Interoception, using a 'collection of senses providing information to the organism about the internal state of the body' (Wikipedia 2025b).
Specifically somatic - interoceptive teaching methods developed over the last 30 years provide an opportunity for students to become aware of the muscles, tendons and facia in their legs as they play with their personal sense of balance. This interoceptive teaching methodology then extends to seeking connection between hands and shoulder blades / spine. These teaching methods are based on the traditional indigenous wisdom of the Tai Chi classics including ‘Chan Ssu Chin’ spiralling flex and ‘Sung’ sinking or relaxing posture that includes releasing the ‘Kua’ or creases in the groin that includes the Psoas muscles.
This novel interoceptive method of teaching presents a simple and accessible way to support students to experience a change in perception.
Together the interoceptive flexing of the arms and legs connected through the spinal column enable students to then differentiate between whole body connected and disjointed movement. When interoceptive awareness is applied to simple stepping exercises it is possible for students to experience a form of mindfulness as the mind is distracted, senses the moment to moment shift of body weight from one leg to another.
All movement is undertaken with soft intention specifically avoiding all martial thoughts or intent. The primary guidance to all students is to avoid doing anything that causes them physical or emotional tension. Practice is undertaken with compassionate intention in both action and towards self. Together with interospective awareness in the moment a novel approach to mindfulness unfolds.
Distracting the mind through these interoceptive core practices can be developed through a set of five Embodied Qigong postures (Hunt 2025) taken from the traditional Yang Family long Tai Chi form. However, it seems that distracting the mind for a longer period of time has a more significant calming effect. My personal experience suggests that the 20 minuet sequence of movements through the Yang Family long form (Hunt 2022) is more effective than practicing shorter Tai Chi forms. Perhaps this is one reason why my Tai Chi teacher Graham Horwood claimed the long form was more beneficial than the shortened versions created by Chinese Masters for lazy Western students.
References
Hunt David (2025) 5 Embodied Qigong’s ‘for developing Tai Chi practice’: https://embodiedtaichi.org/documents/new-portfolio , accessed 30th January 2025
Hunt David (2023) Embodied Tai Chi Core Practice: https://embodiedtaichi.org/documents/new-portfolio-under-development , accessed 30th January 2025
Hunt David (2022) Yang Family Long Form: https://embodiedtaichi.org/documents/project-one-f5w4d-2ppcx , accessed 30th January 2025
Wikipedia (2025a) Mindfulness: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness , 28th January 2025
Wikipedia 2025b) Interoception: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interoception , accessed 28th January 2025