Tai Chi

Some time ago I studied Tai Chi in Toronto with a woman who also practised Chinese Brush Painting. She often commented about how the energy being studied and used was essentially the same for both disciplines. In the Chinese traditions this energy is called the "chi", which is believed to be a latent spiritual force present in all living things. Subsequently I have come to understand that this same principle applies to my woodworking. Balancing and developing the chi energy is an integral part of my work. Even something as simple as a successful cut on the tablesaw results from combining relaxed breathing techniques with body energy to smoothly move the material through the blade, always aware of the relationship between the blade, the fence and the wood.

Sometimes the materials to be handled in the shop are weighty or bulky, and this calls for optimizing body motion and energy expenditure. You need to be focussed if you want longevity in your ability to do this kind of heavy work. I have seen too many strain injuries in the shop which completely stopped the workflow, caused by poor body/mind coordination. So, consider the material you have to work with, where and how it will be moved in the shop, and finally the most body friendly way to accomplish this. Nine times out of ten, if it's body friendly it will also be mind friendly. Even better yet, take some Tai Chi lessons and incorporate the benefits of this ancient discipline into all your woodworking activities.

I once worked on a farm with an older farmer. To watch him shift about large quantities of feed, and perform other heavy physical tasks, was to witness a wonderful and almost effortless economy of movement. His developed skill for utilizing the physical power of his body was like poetry in motion - beautiful to watch and for me proof of the power of chi energy, although I'm sure the word would have meant nothing to the old man.