Discover the Transformative Power of Tai Chi: An Inspiring Journey from TV Career to Art & Balance

Meet Bil, he grew up in New York City working in television for CBS and ABC. He had a co-op apartment that he renovated and loved living in, but when his wife wanted to move back to her hometown in Connecticut, he agreed since he had started working from home for WWF. However, when his boss was fired he unfortunately had to start commuting to Manhattan from Connecticut. A commute he would make for the next 15 years, up until he retired. Bil, was initially afraid of turning into his father, who became a couch potato after retiring, but once he experienced retirement, he wished he had done it 10 years earlier.

When I interviewed Bil, he talked about his journey in the world of art and design. A career which started off as a scenic designer for a children's show, Captain Kangaroo, then soap operas and finally ending with sports shows. During retirement, Bil discovered a passion for figure drawing, which led him to explore Chinese brush painting and Tai Chi. He continued on to speak about the influence of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism in Chinese culture and how it reflects in their art. He went on to talk about the Oriental Brush Artists Guild, which is an organization that teaches and practices Southern Chinese brushwork. One thing that stood out to me in their teachings is how the energy that is expressed through brushwork is a reflection of the artist's emotions. He continued to speak on the influence of Chan Buddhism in Chinese art, where the energy in brushstrokes is more important than the physical reality. The practice of copying someone's masterpiece and improvising on it is an important aspect of Chinese brushwork. Overall, Bil shares how he discovered his passion for art and how it has enriched his life.

Despite his own health concerns, having had two valves replaced in his heart and being on medication which slows him down, Bil not only still teaches Tai Chi at a senior center & The Cannon Grange in Connecticut, having a total of around 26-30 students, but even takes five classes a week himself, though he notes that teaching is much more difficult than being a student.

Bil's description of Tai Chi is engaging and informative, highlighting the key elements of martial art and the precise movements required to perform it.

Tai Chi is composed of offensive and defensive moves that are choreographed into a pleasing sequence and performed slowly and precisely. He describes each step, from starting off together to the final conclusion. Throughout the form, practitioners imagine opponents approaching and using various techniques to defend themselves, such as thrusting and pushing. The form is performed slowly and precisely to allow for the movement of energy through the body in a continuous pattern.

Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that focuses on redirecting and unbalancing an opponent's movements, rather than relying on brute force. It is rooted in Taoism, which believes that the body has meridians where energy flows, and the energy can flow freely if the body is relaxed and loose. Learning Tai Chi requires muscle memory and can take about a year to feel comfortable with.

Bil emphasizes that Tai Chi is never fully learned, and practitioners are always working at it. He also notes that every school has a traditional form, usually composed of 103, 108, or 110 steps and the form takes about 20 minutes to perform and is divided into three parts.

Tai Chi is a journey that never ends, and it's essential to find the right school that works for you. Qigong, another form of exercise, is sometimes used interchangeably with Tai Chi, but it focuses more on the exercise aspect and is not choreographed or related to fighting. Tai Chi and Qigong can improve one's quality of life and make one healthier. The practice teaches balance and grace in movements and can help people walk more confidently.

Tai Chi is not just a way to keep you healthy, but also to extend your quality of life.