mon sight for visitors to China, and one that is slowly becoming more com-
mon in the West, and not just in Chinatowns.
The strikingly odd yet calming images of slow-moving groups in per-
fect synchrony have permeated the Western consciousness as well. Senior
citizen centers, martial arts schools, and health clubs throughout North
America are developing taijiquan programs. Even Madison Avenue adver-
tising firms have recognized the power of taijiquan. Using images of taiji-
quan players in the background to attract our eye, they pitch their products
in the foreground, even during the halftime of the heavily watched Super-
bowl.
Yet, though we are exposed more and more, there is much confusion
here in the West, and sometimes as much in the East. As taijiquan gains
popularity as exercise, self-defense, and healing art, researchers in both the
East and West are delving into the origins of the art, its healing nature, its
martial nature, and the effects of practice.
Bill Adams
John Starr, M.D.See alsoBoxing, Chinese; External vs. Internal Chinese Martial Arts; Ki/Qi;
Medicine, Traditional Chinese; Meditation; Religion and Spiritual
Development: China
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