10:05 AM CDT on Thursday, July 13, 2006

By ERIN OCHOA / KVUE News

It's an art form that dates back many centuries.

Instructors say Tai Chi can have a significant impact on their health. They describe it as "moving meditation," and it is intended to teach body-awareness and even relaxation. Instructors say that practicing Tai Chi even once a week, can improve your health.

"Tai chi was a martial arts style that was invented, legends say, about 1200 ad by a monk," said Instructor Joe Schaefer.

Schaefer says the martial art form uses fluid and flowing motions.

"Tai Chi is originally a fighting art, but what made it important for training martial artists is what also makes it good for the common person, which is the ability to learn how to release excess tension from the body, how to calm your mind, how to perfect your motion through body awareness," he said.

Josh Sucsy, 26, started learning Tai Chi after he was injured in Iraq.

"An IED went off, I was on the top of a Bradley, which is a fighting vehicle, and landed on a curb," he said. "It got to where I couldn't walk straight. I was on a cane for a couple of months. I wasn't quite standing straight up."

Sucsy ruptured a disc in his back and suffered nerve damage.

"Everybody told me I kind of moved like a robot," Sucsy said. But then he put his mind to it. "I've learned how to use my body in a way that it keeps the pressure off of that, and kind of works around that."

Tai Chi improved his flexibility and relieved much of his pain.

"Within the first few weeks, I was able to get some extra movement - and within about 6 months, I was almost fully functional again," he said.

Instructors say everyone can benefit from Tai Chi, to some degree. If you'd like to learn about this art form, there are several workshops scheduled through Sunday:

Wednesday, JULY 12, 7:00 PM

TAOIST MUSIC AND CHANTING WORKSHOP

Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road

Exotic world of traditional Taoist sacred music and chanting of prayers and mantras. Interactive. The power of sound is equated with Qi, the life-force animating energy of the universe, and helps to create a powerful inner state of peace, clarity and vibrance.

Wednesday, JULY 12, 7:00PM

THE ART OF DRAWING TAOIST TALISMANS WORKSHOP

Resource Connection, 321 W. Ben White,(SOUTH BEND CENTER) Ste. 203

History and significance of the use of Taoist talismans. Students create their own talismans according to this ancient esoteric art. The essence of how to draw talismans is rarely presented to the public.

Upcoming Events:

JULY 13 & 14 - WUDANG TAOIST INNER ALCHEMY MEDITATION WORKSHOP: 7:00PM

Clear Spring Studio, 605A Copeland St. (off 1000 block of S. 1st St., behind Sabia Botanicals), Austin,

JULY 13 & 14 - WUDANG KUNG FU WORKSHOP: 7:00PM

Zilker Botanical Gardens Center, Main Building, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin,

JULY 15 - MAJOR PERFORMANCES: MARTIAL ARTS & SACRED MUSIC

Akins High School Performing Arts Center: 10701 S. 1st St. (about 1 mile south of Slaughter Lane)

Two performances: 2pm and 8pm

JULY 16 - THREE WORKSHOPS

WUDANG TAI CHI WORKSHOP

Sunday, July 16th, Zilker Botanical Gardens Center, Main Building, 2220

Barton Springs Rd, Austin, 10am-5pm

WUDANG QIGONG WORKSHOP

Sunday, July 16th, Zilker Botanical Gardens Center, Main Building, 2220

Barton Springs Rd, Austin, 10am-5pm

WUDANG EIGHT IMMORTALS SWORD WORKSHOP

Sunday, July 16th, Woodward Hotel & Conference Center, 3401 S. I-35,Austin, 10am-5pm