Cue words are a good way of snapping  you back into the correct alignment when your are not practicing Tai Chi.

For example, the other night I was half asleep and felt very uncomfortable with my body in a non Tai Chi position, twisted like a pretzel.

I used my cue word of ‘spine’ to move myself back into a correct alignment for sleeping. I simple say the word ‘spine’ to myself and automatically adjust my position. I also do this when I’m walking or sitting and notice my alignment is incorrect.

It becomes an automatic response with repetition and it’s a great way of practicing Tai Chi in everyday life activities. This is important becomes Tai Chi practice is not just about practicing during specified sessions throughout the week. It’s what you do away from official practice that will determine how much you improve your Tai Chi.

I find that just one cue word is enough to remind me what I should be doing if I’m not in a correct physical, emotional, psychological  shape or state of mind.

Other cue words I use for various states include;

• relax
• calm
• sink
• yin
• yang

Do you use cue words to maintain your wellbeing in your day to day activitie? What are they?