"Trees are the greatest Tai Chi masters. Their whole existence is quite selfless; giving their branches to the safety of little creatures and birds. Their whole lifespan is dedicated to constant breathing, silence and meditation. Deep into the ground they sink their roots, finding the strongest foundation possible to them. Reaching up to the sky absorbing sunlight they stand and breathe, selflessly, the lungs of the planet, cleaning the air so that human beings can breathe too - these 'beings' are in a constant state of 'zhan zhuang', wuji, 'standing pole'.

From a little tiny pip an apple tree grows. Sinks its roots deep into the fertile earth and stays alive by drinking the moisture there caused by the rain. It grows taller and its leaves spread out like little solar panels absorbing the vitality of the sunlight. Within the apple tree all that is required is the rain and the sun. Fire and Water, Yin and Yang.

Internally, the apple tree alchemist sets to work. Weaving together a flower bud, which blossoms and then grows into an apple. The apple is created completely from sun and rain, yin and yang, by the silently breathing alchemist - and inside the apple are yet more pips!

Most people walk past trees and give them little thought - they are 'just' trees. Practice Tai Chi under a tree, stand still in the presence of a master and breathe in.

(Yuri Leitch 'Alchemy of Sun and Rain')