The spa industry in China is just taking off, but developers and spa professionals are already looking toward the future. Chinese spa professionals have drawn inspirations from ancient Chinese disciplines to create something new.

Summa Spa Institute International in Beijing has successfully created a new treatment integrating tai chi philosophy with massage therapy.

"Tai chi is very helpful for all types of activities, especially good for co-operating with massage therapy," said the institute's Principal Assistant, Connie Pong.

"The slow and fluid movements help the therapists to focus on delivering a more intense, effective and creative massage."

The ancient Chinese discipline tai chi integrates mind, body and spirit, and it is an oriental system for self-defense and health maintenance which can be of benefit to better balance, coordination, increased joint flexibility and strength.

Tai chi exercise itself is based on the concept of qi which is our vital energy that moves through the body. The circular path of qi begins at the dantian energy center of the lower abdomen, which then moves outward through the palms of the hands, then returns to the center.

"The massage therapy is an excellent opportunity to bring qi into the body while moving the body," Pong said.

"Our therapists must stay with acute mental focus and remain correct postures and positions. They are like a tree, with feet like the roots, the torso like the trunk and arms like the limbs and branches," Pong said.

Stability and grounding are the feet and legs, direction of movement begins at the torso, and expression is through the arms and hands. By keeping the joints slightly bent and relaxed, the feet can step lightly and softly to produce a strong and fluid movement.

Whenever the feet are pointed, the hips will move in that direction, and wherever the hips move, the arms and hands will follow. Feet are positioned squarely under the knees, hips and shoulders.

"With this type of movements, we can move through all of our activities more effectively and enjoy increased energy trough proper postures," Pong said. "This energy may not appear forceful, but it is powerful."

While moving the body during massage by using tai chi technique and postures, comply with the breathing technique, the therapists are just like dancers. The rhythm can be adjusted to the client's breathing, letting them set the pace. The movement is from hard to soft, up to down, in to out. Yin-yang concept is fully utilized in this tai chi massage.

"Tai chi massage is creative," Pong said. "Each massage is different according to client's need. Therapists just follow the flow of client's body need."

(Shanghai Daily July 11, 2007)