DAVID FOLK THOMAS: William, tai chi-- Dr. Kligler mentioned karate, all that-- is it not a self-defense thing anymore? Is it health? How does it vary from, say, something like karate where maybe more people are familiar.
WILLIAM KAPLINIDIS: It depends on who you study with. Originally, people that studied tai chi were already adept at a fighting form of martial art, and they used the tai chi to help them learn how to use their mind more and their whole body as an instrument, and not just the physical force. So they learned how to preserve their body and their mind and how to use the power of the mind with their body together as a martial art. At the same time, there are other trainings involved, like meditation and different trainings that help the body become healthier. Usually, as you get older you get better at it.
DAVID FOLK THOMAS: What does tai chi mean, exactly? What's the translation?
WILLIAM KAPLINIDIS: Tai chi is actually a philosophy. It's the philosophy of yin and yang. Literally, it means "supreme ultimate."
DAVID FOLK THOMAS: That's that symbol everybody sees.
WILLIAM KAPLINIDIS: It looks like two fish.
Tai chi is represented by that symbol. It's sort of the law of opposites. You and me. This and that. Night and day. Through the movements, you're trying to become in harmony with nature and with your body and with your mind and bringing it all together so that you're becoming more one as opposed to separate.
