The role of our eyes and their gaze in our Tai Chi practice may seem somewhat secondary in comparison to many other health aspects discussed, but their importance is more foundational than I had ever imagined.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is well understood that the eyes are what directs our energy or chi; meaning, how we direct our gaze is how we direct our chi. When we look up towards the light or heavens, we activate a higher, or yang energy. When we look down towards the earth, we activate a more passive, or yin energy. As a result, we are encouraged to keep our gaze level during our Tai Chi practice, keeping our energy well balanced between yin and yang.
It is further understood from Chinese martial arts, that the eyes are what connect our mind and body during each movement, allowing the chi to flow in a unified manner. If the eyes and movements are not well synchronized, it is believed that our internal and external energies are out of balance, limiting the life force available; an undesirable outcome in traditional combat.
In Tai Chi, we are encouraged to follow the lead hand while maintaining a peripheral awareness of the other. Of course, the lead hand will differ depending on the specific posture we are in, especially when moving through the set. In addition to preserving a balance of internal and external energies, this eye following enhances balance, coordination and helps to better align us with each of the movements. It is also important that we do not look directly at our hands; we look gently beyond them. This ‘soft gaze’ allows for relaxation of the small muscles of our face and neck, which in turn encourages further relaxation throughout the rest of the body.
What parts of the brain are involved with our eye gaze and what is the relevance for Tai Chi?
Different parts of our brain are activated depending on where our gaze is directed. Interestingly, the occipital lobe (see previous blog “How Brain Elasticity and Function Improve with Tai Chi“), responsible for our vision itself, is not responsible for our gaze; our amygdala is. The amygdala is a small structure located in each temporal lobe of the brain, just above either ear. The amygdala is part of the limbic system, and is responsible for emotions, attention and memory. This means that the direction of our gaze during Tai Chi is directly linked to these important brain functions. If our eye gaze is misaligned with our movements during the set, the activation of key memory and attention pathways is lessened, limiting the potential for significant cognitive health benefits.
What about organ energy activation through the eyes?
Two major organs are believed to be triggered through our eye gaze; the lungs and the liver. In Qigong practice, the lung meridian is activated when our gaze follows hands that move in multiple directions. This can be applicable to many of our standing Jongs or the Tai Chi set, especially with movements that involve wide arm circles using our hands (as in “wave hands like clouds”). The ancient practice of “Sun Gazing” (Qigong) is further described as another way of harvesting energy. It is believed that by gazing directly at the sun (at early sunrise to prevent retinal damage), we activate the liver meridian, causing the release of beneficial hormones and detoxifying our bodies of impurities.
So, the next time you find yourself moving either during a Tai Chi set or standing Jongs, try to think of the many ways your eye gaze can make a difference to your energy activation. Another great gift given to us from Master Moy!
Copyright ©️ 2025 Lila Zitouni
Translation by Jordi Awarita, Cathy Filion
Thanks for this very interesting post that explains the importance of the gaze!
Comme c’est intéressant, ces effets subtils et imperceptibles du regard au tai chi. Ça me fait penser aux questions que des gens de ma classe ont déjà posées : peut-on garder les yeux fermés? Certains aiment les fermer pendant les jongs pour porter leur attention à l’intérieur d’eux-mêmes. J’ai plutôt l’impression qu’il faut les garder ouverts en tout temps pour garder conscience de notre environnement. Je fais aussi le lien entre ce que j’ai déjà entendu dire par Tony, comme quoi les mouvements du tai chi rétablissent l’harmonie entre nous et l’univers, et donc que les yeux doivent rester ouverts (je ne me souviens plus si la partie des “yeux ouverts” vient de Tony ou non). Est-ce que quelqu’un en sait plus à ce sujet? Merci Lila pour ce riche article.
Merci beaucoup Lila pour ce beau texte sur le regard. Tu mets ensemble bien des éléments qui donnent une autre dimension aux mouvements de tai chi. Toutes ces explications, ces liens que tu fais vont augmenter mon niveau de conscience durant ma pratique. Merci à toi et à M.Moy bien sûr.