The backbone (or spine) is a column usually consisting of 33 vertebrae.

Viewed laterally (left) the vertebral column presents several curves, which correspond to the different regions of the column. These are called the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic.

The uppermost vertebrae in the (uppermost) cervical section is called the 1st CERVICAL or ATLAS VERTEBRAE.

The name is taken from the Greek myth and relates to the God Atlas who held the globe of the world on his shoulders.

The 1st cervical or Atlas vertebrae is the only 'solid' bone connection between the head and the rest of the body. Greater support - and all movement - comes courtesy of the Semispinalis dorsi, Semispinalis cervicis and Semispinalis capitis muscles.

THE DO TAI CHI SYLLABUS - Segment One (Sessions 1 - 5) Tai Chi Foundation Course. Chi Kung exercises to encourage the development and accumulation of Chi. Also functions as a six week 'stand alone' course in Chi Kung style meditative standing and breathing exercise sets culminating in the classic "Embracing the Tree" and "Connecting Heaven and Earth" Chi Kung sets.

In all session lesson plan notes it is recomended that each exercise be repeated "at least five times". This is an ammount that is suitable for begginners. Later, when comfortable, all exercises may be repeated up to thirty times each. If you decide to increase any one particular exercise to say ten repitition, increase ALL individual exercises to the same number.