The Tao of the Valley : People of all ages have found an antidote to modern stress at an institute devoted to the ancient Chinese philosophy.

“To know others is wisdom, to know yourself is enlightenment.” --Lao-tzu, founder of Taoism

When Bobbette Hill began taking tai chi classes at a neighborhood park to ease her physical aches, she thought it was “crazy--just a bunch of people jumping around.” Then Hill searched out the Taoist Institute in North Hollywood, where director Carl Totton suggested she attend classes “to go a bit deeper to understand the philosophy behind the form.”

After one year of study at the institute, Hill, 57, said her physical aches have cleared. “And my entire outlook on life is different now,” said Hill, a legal secretary who lives in Burbank. “Plus, I sleep much better and I feel real good about being able to move around with 28-year-olds.”

Since its founding in 1970 by Taoist priest Share Lew and psychologist and actor Khigh Dhiegh, who played the Chinese agent Wo Fat on “Hawaii Five-0,” the Taoist Institute has disseminated information on Chinese martial and health disciplines that span 6,000 years.

Sixteen weekly classes are taught at the institute’s nondescript building that contains a library packed with hundreds of books on Taoism and related disciplines. Five instructors teach the classes, which are attended by about 20 people each.

“Taoism, one of the most ancient of Chinese philosophical traditions, teaches us to strive in harmony with ourselves, our environment and nature,” said Totton, an ordained Taoist priest. “Tao can be interpreted to mean the ‘Way’ or ‘Path.’ ”

The institute teaches various Taoist disciplines, including tai chi, a martial art that combines imagery, philosophy and meditation based on movement; the martial art of kung fu; chi kung, consisting of deep breathing and visualization; Chinese herbal medicine, and acupuncture and acupressure.

Taoists developed a variety of philosophical guides that gave deeper meaning to such practices. Among them is the I Ching, a 3,000-year-old gnomic text that is consulted to divine meaning from 64 symbolic hexagrams. Properly interpreted, the I Ching is said to embody profound insights applicable to daily life.

Taoists’ primary text, however, is the Tao Te Ching, a volume of aphorisms that expound on the “Way.” Written by the sage Lao-tzu, considered the founder of Taoism, the book expounds on man’s relationship to nature:

“The best way to conduct oneself may be observed in the behavior of water. Water is useful to every living thing, yet it does not demand pay in return for its services. . . .”

“Study of the Tao helps disciples let go of preconceived notions,” said Totton, who works as a school psychologist at San Gabriel High School and Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra. He also instructs courses at Cal State Northridge’s master’s program in school psychology. “The disciplines of Taoism help us transcend the ego’s attempt to get fixated--to see things in a rigid, dualistic way.”

The institute practices a school of Taoism called tao tan pai, a training brought to America in 1948 by Lew from his temple in Kwanjung, China. Totton said the approach was created 1,200 years ago by Lu Tung Pin, a colorful, legendary figure who desired to capture the original spontaneity of Taoism. Lu Tung Pin taught the disciplines now practiced at the institute “to eliminate the barriers that prevent us from accessing our essential nature,” said Totton.

“These ancient teachings are unparalleled to help us deal with stress today. The Taoist arts give us an effective way to relax the body and mind and access the deep spiritual core that exists in everyone.

“Living in Los Angeles with its violence and crime, the martial arts part of our training literally helps defend our health. I always tell students that it’s very unhealthy if you allow someone to beat you up and kill you. You have to stay alive to practice all the other disciplines.”

Totton began his Taoist studies in 1963 when he met Lew’s first American student, John Leoning, who later handpicked Totton to study directly under Lew in 1970. During the past three decades Totton has learned all the Taoist disciplines and remains in contact with Lew, who now lives at a Taoist sanctuary in San Diego. Dhiegh died last year.

Gary Marks began attending classes at the institute six years ago. “I was looking for something different than jujitsu--I have a third-degree belt in that,” said Marks, a Burbank resident and an assistant kung fu instructor at the institute.

Hill and other students said Taoist disciplines also have improved their mental and emotional health.

“Before tai chi, I listened to KJOY and all the oldies stations,” said Hill.”Focusing on the tai chi movements and meditations seems to have opened up my mind to classical music, ballet and the opera--things I wouldn’t have been caught dead listening to before. It’s made me eager to learn new things. That can be rare at my age.”

Where and When What: Classes at the Taoist Institute. Location: 10630 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Price: $45 to $65 per month for one or two sessions per week. A $25 annual registration fee is required for all students enrolled in ongoing classes. Call: (818) 760-4219.