I’ve used the Tai Chi Kidz Race drill to teach children how to slow down and move correctly.

Here’s how it works.

I get the class to line up at one end of the hall. Then I say to them ‘we going to have a race.’ They usually get excited at this.

Then I say, ‘okay, the slowest person wins.’ At first there are confused looks but once they get started their movements slow right down. Some hardly move at all.

It’s a bit of reverse psychology by making it completely different from their expectations of a race.

The benefits?

Kids learn to co-ordinate their bodies and improve their balance. It’s a fun drill. And I can also teach other specific body movement skills, for example tucking in your tailbone as you step.

Why not have a go and teach this to your junior Tai Chi or martial arts class?

If you do, let me know how it goes.