Taijiquan the “Taiji World” Way: Towards a Cosmopolitan Vision of Ecology

David H. K. Brown, George Jennings and Andrew C. Sparkes
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David H. K. Brown: Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF23 6XD, UK
George Jennings: Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad YMCA, Lago Alberto 337, Col. Anáhuac, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11320, Mexico
Andrew C. Sparkes: Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, School of Sport, Leeds Metropolitan University/Carnegie Faculty, Fairfax Hall, Room 124, Headingly Campus, Leeds LS6 3QS, UK

Societies, 2014, vol. 4, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: In this article, we present a case study analysis of data gathered on the practice of the art of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) in one UK context. Our interest in looking at this physical culture was in exploring if/how physical cultures of shared embodied experience and practice may help “sow the seeds of environmental awareness”. In so doing, we illustrate certain affinities between this interpretation of the art and Beck’s idea of a “cosmopolitan vision of ecology”. We present an analysis of documentary and interview data of one English Taijiquan organisation and how it currently promotes the idea of interconnectedness, wellbeing and an alternative meta-narrative for living through the practice of Taijiquan. We conclude that, while further research is needed, there is evidence that a cosmopolitan vision for ecology is emerging in physical cultures such as Taijiquan.

Keywords: Taijiquan; Daoism; self-cultivation; nature; ecology; embodiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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