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Underwater Tai Chi

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When you are practicing your Tai Chi form imagine you are underwater.

But make sure your head is above water!

I’ve found that using this visualisation technique slows my movements down alot. Especially if I am in a rushed mood when practicing Tai Chi.

I also get a deeper sense of Chi flowing through my body.

Here’s how to do it;

  • Relax you body
  • Imagine you are standing in water up to your neck
  • Start your form
  • Feel the slight resistance of the water as you move

If you decide to use this technique let me know how it feels.

Footnote: Source –  Tai Tips #10

Lunatic In A Park

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Practicing weapons’ forms in a park can can attract the wrong attention. Especially if you are using metal weapons.

Once when I was practicing my sabre and sword forms in a park I had one spectator which did distract me. It was a policeman driving his van slowly through the park.

From the corner of my eye I noticed the driver stare at me.

He was probably wondering whether I was a lunatic or just a crazy ninja turtle that should be locked up.

Fortunately for me he kept driving and I avoided being disturbed.

Since then I now only use my wooden sword and sabre when I practice in a park.

I still practice with my metal weapons at home or use them at official demonstrations.

Sabre Form
Sabre Form

Sword Form
Who is that lunatic?

Adopt A Tai Chi Posture

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One way of improving your Tai Chi form is to adopt a posture and practice it each day.

In my training I have a list of the 37 postures (the form) in order and each day I practice one posture. After 37 days I start again.

I do 8 repetitions slowly, both sides of the body (where relevant). For example a posture like ‘White Crane Flaps Its Wings’ can be done, left and right side of the body whereas ‘Beginning Posture’ cannot.

The benefit of adopting a posture is that you can see if the technique is correct straight away and make the adjustment on the spot. When you are practicing the entire form all you can do when you make a mistake is to make a mental note to correct the error the next time you practice.

Today I was working on ‘Monkey Retreats’ and noticed my body was not  facing the centre when I had completed the movement. I ended up twisting my waist to the right.

Make sure when you practice each posture you do it slowly and stay focused.

Do this and your adopting a Tai Chi posture daily will help you improve your form.

Footnote: Source – Tai Chi Tip #1

Tai Chi Anywhere

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Some of the odd places I have performed Tai Chi include;

  • a restaurant
  • remote island
  • canteen at a college – sabre demonstration (front tables were very attentive)
  • library
  • hotel courtyard in Kathmandu
  • small office as an audition (weird)
  • park full of kids (tough gig)

But I’ve never performed Tai Chi at an airport.

Check out this clip of ‘Airport Tai Chi’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syGasscRmh8&feature=youtu.be