Tai Chi – Page 33

Gift Of Tai Chi

I stumbled upon Tai Chi many years ago when a friend of mine suggested I give it a go.

After my first lesson I was hooked for life.

It’s a fascinating journey which still continues because there are still higher mountains to climb in learning and teaching Tai Chi.

I don’t think I will ever reach a destination in Tai Chi but that’s okay because I don’t feel the need to ‘get there’ anymore.

Entering the many gates to continue the journey makes it a challenge and it’s also worthwhile from a health and self defence point of view.

Lately I’ve been reflecting on what Tai Chi means to me. What is it about it that resonates the most that encourages me to continue practicing and teaching?

Well, I feel it’s a gift that has been given to me. As it has been given to many many others over the centuries.

And I feel the responsibility to give the gift of Tai Chi to as many people as possible.

Why?

Because if you do then your Yin Yang energies are balanced in regards to giving and receiving.

That to me, in simplistic terms, is what Tai Chi is all about.

Fun Tai Chi for Kidz

By Chris Leave a Comment

It’s been a very busy Tai Chi week.

I ran seven workshops and one short introduction on Tai Chi at a primary school.

The workshops are based on my ‘Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz’ program which focuses on building self-esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.

It was fun watching the prep students crack up laughing with my ‘teethy’ prop and ‘monkey brain’ explanation regarding self talk.

I’ve run these workshops for several years and learned earlier that teaching children Tai Chi in a traditional way is almost impossible.

They get too impatient and bored.

So I bring in my props, play games and use humour to teach and emphasise simple techniques they can do easily and quickly if they feel either stressed or lethargic.

It’s not boring because I never know what mood a class is in or what level of energy they have until I am standing in front of them.

So I have to quickly assess what needs to be done to capture their attention and maintain their enthusiasm.

And the best way to do that is to have my own Yin Yang energies balanced so my Chi can flow smoothly.

How do I do that?

I focus on having fun!

Instant Tai Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

It doesn’t take long to whip up instant mashed potatoes.

And it doesn’t take long to whip up some instant Tai Chi.

As mentioned in a previous post ‘every little bit helps’ – each weekday morning I go outside and walk down my driveway to pick up the newspaper. Before I get to the top of the driveway I make a detour to my garage and do about one minute of Tai Chi training on my punching bag.

I do about 20 light repititions of a defending and striking technique.

There’s no plan to my efforts as I do what I feel like working on. A welcome change from having a detailed schedule to follow.

So far so good.

I’ve been consistent and on the odd days where I haven’t time to do or complete my Tai Chi schedule I know that at least I have achieved some ‘instant Tai Chi’.

Which is better than nothing.

Shaky? Sink The Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

Quotes like ‘sinking the Chi’ can be obscure so the following is a a practical example to help you understand and feel the concept.

I regularly practice a Chi Kung technique which I call ‘Shaky’.

I stand in the ’embrace the tree’ posture.

Then I shake my entire body for 60 seconds.

This sounds easy but it is very demanding. After about 30 seconds it’s normal to breathe heavily and feel tension in the arms and the shoulders.

When I start to feel these sensations I ‘sink the chi’ so I can remain calm for the entire 60 seconds and get a proper work out.

Here’s how I do it.

I focus on visualising, dissolving the chi down to my tan tien and keeping it there.

If the chi rises I repeat the process until I reach my target of 60 seconds.

This simple technique is important in any cardiovascula Tai Chi workouts such as weapons, self defence and general repetitive movements.

So if you are on shaky grounds, don’t forget to sink the chi.

Is Chi Real?

By Chris 2 Comments

I’ve trained with Western doctors who believed in Chi.

And I’ve read about a Tai Chi master who doesn’t believe in Chi.

Is Chi real?

Well, I can’t prove it exist. And it doesn’t matter if Chi exists, technically anyway.

To me the concept of Chi is more valuable rather than proving its existence.

And the way to understand the concept of Chi is to reflect on the philosophy of Tai Chi and practice the movements.

When this is done over a period of time you will then be able to ‘feel’ the Chi ‘regardless of whether it exists or not’.