I’ve just been experimenting with my Tai Chi form in the garden. A perfect day for it with the sun out, mild temperature.

Here’s what I did.

I focused my energy in the opposite direction as I moved throughout the form. And I felt a more powerful and connected feeling than usual when completing the form.

The technique involves imagining a gentle force pulling you in the opposite direction of where you are going. It’s similar to resistance exercises without using equipment.

For example when you move;

• right think left

• left think right

• up think down

• down think up

• expand think contract

• contract think expand

As you do the above don’t forget to think of the gentle resistance pulling you in the opposite direction. And make sure you relax, don’t tense as you feel the resistance.

It’s difficult to think of all these at once so try just one e.g. move right think left – move left think right – then try to use the other techniques combined. This technique is more for intermediate and advanced Tai Chi players. Beginners should only think of learning the form.

So reverse your thinking and you will invigorate your Tai Chi form.