Here’s the view I’m looking at when I practice my Tai Chi form in one of my favourite spots in the Tim Neville Arboretum in Boronia, about twenty minutes from where I live.
Good Chi Park
Tough Tai Chi
My toughest Tai Chi experience?
Nicking my head with the guard of my Sabre and drawing blood during a demonstration in front of 60 secondary school students?
No.
Holding a workshop in a library with some participants spilling into the aisles where I couldn’t see them due to the lack of room?
No.
Presentating an energizer session late one Saturday evening at a conference where the booze overruled any sense of participation?
No.
The toughest experience happened in the local park the other day. I did some shopping and had time in the afternoon to practice my Tai Chi form so at about 3.30pm I drove to the park and found a secluded spot facing the man made lake.
It was a beautiful setting, sun shining, no breeze, perfect for Tai Chi.
As I started my Tai Chi form they appeared.
Yi leads the Chi
In Tai Chi the Yi (mind) leads the Chi (energy).
In other words, when you are doing your form your mind which involves your attention and intention should initiate a movement.
Using this concept avoids the problem of moving from posture to posture aimlessly. And if you move without the Yi leading the Chi then you are not doing Tai Chi.
If your mind does wander which is a natural occurence for beginners – focus on your dan tien. This will allow you to become centred again and also makes it easier for your Yi to lead the Chi.
Try this concept the next time you do your form and let me know how it feels.
Rainy Day Tai Chi
It’s been raining for the past few days here so I haven’t had a chance to practice my Tai Chi form outside.
Today I’ll practice the form indoors.
The difficulty is that I’ve haven’t enough clear space to practice the entire form continously.
So rather than miss out on my scheduled training session I’ll go to Plan B.
Plan B in this case is to perform the form in a stop start manner without focusing on continous movement.
For each point of the form I stop and hold the posture for 5 seconds. Then go to the next point.
For example, let’s look at the opening posture.
- Raise arms up – stop
- bend elbows – stop
- lower hands – stop
Because of the weather conditions this is a good alternative than not practicing at all.
So, don’t let rainy days stop you from practicing.
Adapt and keep practicing!
Kitchen Clock Tai Chi
After this morning’s Tai Chi hands form practice it’s time to get out my electronic kitchen clock.
I’ve noticed my time for completing the long form varies according to when I practice. Afternoon sessions are shorter than a morning session. Usually I complete the form between 15-20 minutes. More often closer to the 15 minute mark.
I need to get some consistency in my form practice so for the next few sessions I’ll use my little kitchen clock timer and focus on building the duration of the form to 20 minutes. And I’ll record each form session to achieve may target.
It’s easy to speed through the long form in say 12 minutes which is not a good workout. In the past the kitchen clock has slowed me down because I’m aware I’m timing myself.
When I develop a consistent 20 minute workout I’ll put the kitchen clock back where it belongs.
In the kitchen!