Eric Humphries can remember having an affinity for martial arts from a young age. His father showed his rather non-violent son a Bruce Lee film. At first, Humphries wasn’t too fond of it, but he came to love the movie and Lee’s art.

“As soon as the tape went off, I thought, ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever seen. This is great,’” Humphries laughed. “I’m going back and forth to the video store renting this movie every week and emulating some of his step patterns. The whole idea really clicked with me.”

Now Humphries is spreading his knowledge to Beaufort County. His lessons have been received well by the community thus far. He’s received testimonials ranging from reduction in pain to relaxation and easier movement.

It’s because tai chi is something that anyone can find benefit in.

“Tai chi is the ultimate exercise because it encompasses every aspect of fitness,” he said. “You can take the principals of your physical and mental well-being, and apply it to your weightlifting and techniques.”

Humphries went on to explain how the fundamentals of tai chi can be applied to any techniques. It can be as complex as weightlifting stances and posture, yet as simple as being conscious of how one walks.

“Ankle alignment, for example — or rather, misalignment — is responsible for most knee and hip replacements in out country today,” he said. “That’s crazy. Instead of getting expensive orthotics, which aren’t really helping anything, just teach people how to divide their weight on their foot and balance their weight on their feet the proper way. The muscles will strengthen into the right way, and then it becomes effortless.”

That is the core of what Humphries is trying to accomplish. He wants to teach people in the area things that they can incorporate into their daily lives that will improve their quality of life. It’s effective in relieving arthritis and other ailments people suffer as they age, but also has a lot to offer for younger people.

“Functional strength is the key,” Humphries said. “Tai chi is a great venue for that. It’s fun. It’s different, so it’s refreshing. It’s everything about fitness you want in your life, no matter how young or old you are.”

Humphries has been practicing tai chi for almost a decade. He began in Greenville, South Carolina. He ran with it from there.

He has a lot of goals for what he wants to accomplish in Beaufort County. In general, Humphries wants to teach easy lessons people can incorporate into their everyday activities. He wants to lend his services to businesses and corporations, offering tai chi lessons to offices. For example, he wants to teach desk workers ways to reduce neck, back and wrist pain that accompanies working on a computer all day.

“How can I treat the whole person,” he wonders. “Psychologically, mentally, have mind and body come together in the most relevant fashion for the person.”

For those interested in learning tai chi from Humphries, contact him at 864-918-0163.