Families take part in Tai Chi program at Carnegie

A series of lessons in Tai Chi began last week at the Carnegie Library in Newnan.

Known as "Sifu" or "teacher of life" in her classes, Cliff Williams Jr. has studied martial arts since 1959. He found Tai Chi when he was at a demonstration and a Chinese man offered to teach him. He accepted, and has studied Tai Chi since 1965.

"I learned my energy lasts many martial arts masters," he said. "When I was introduced to Tai Chi and I talked to my teachers, they all told me to tell."

Tai Chi dates its origins 6,000 years. It was developed by priests who wanted to form a way of meditation through movement. What they developed was based on yoga and their observation of animals. Thus, Tai Chi is born.

"It's a way to stay active as age has come," added Williams Jr.. "Longevity is the key to Tai Chi. It is a kind of continuation of life through movement. People do to stay active, young and independent. "

Tai Chi is also a way for people to stay in harmony with nature, "he said. Art has always been a question of balance and flow of life.

"It's like a sailboat and the wind," Williams explained: "Even if the wind is against the boat, the boat can still go ahead as it adjusts to being in harmony with the wind . This is what Tai Chi is all about. It brings balance, harmony and longevity. "