What is strength?

This is an interesting question. In tai chi, the idea of 'strength' encompasses a wide range of physical and mental abilities. Strength is the ability to cope, to endure, to sustain, to see alternatives, to move skilfully, to deliver power, to see harmonious options instead of conflictive ones.

In tai chi, having strength of character is as important as physical prowess.

Quality not quantity...

As you get older, the quality of your life needs to be the focus: flexibility, agility, strength, relaxed muscles, calm mind, settled emotions... You will benefit from the tai chi every single day.

Things take time to grow...

Modern life is impatient; people want instant results and immediate gratification. Yet, things take time: a meal takes time to prepare, time to cook and then time to eat.

All things in life are like this. Your body cannot perform tai chi skilfully when you begin lessons. Progress will be slow and gradual. Patience, perseverance and enthusiasm are required.

Give yourself time: allow time for your body to change, for your muscles to re-grow and your skeleton to re-align.

Moderation

A common theme in tai chi training is 'moderation'. Be cautious of extremes. Pushing your body can lead to injury, strain and physical tension.

In tai chi, the training is gentle and does not tax the body. We remain calm, focussed and patient.

Practice is ongoing...

People typically think of training in terms of a fixed outcome. They pass an exam. They get a certificate. Your aim in tai chi is not to pass a black belt, become an instructor or even a master.

Your goal is long life, youthfulness and ongoing good fitness.

Peak performance?

Tai chi trains the body to respond to the requirements of the mind. We want your body to be capable of spontaneous movement in any direction; comfortably, safely, with the necessary support and stability.

By sitting, standing and moving in a natural, healthy way you will feel energised, relaxed, comfortable and agile.

Gentle exercise...

Dr Michael Greger (author of How Not To Die) recommends 90 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day. It doesn't have to be in one go. Little and often is better...

The three doctors who wrote The Okinawa Program maintain that tai chi - with its ancient origins and incredible health benefits - is the ideal form of exercise for modern people.

A sanctuary

Ideally, a tai chi class should be a good place to be: a pure place. There is no meanness or petty behaviour, no malice or sarcasm. Good humour, camaraderie, polite manners, consideration, respect and fun result in a pleasant training environment.

 

Taking lessons

Students in a tai chi school are encouraged to interact with one another in a healthy, friendly manner, free from the competitive norms found in wider society.

There is a supportive atmosphere of trust and care. The training hall is a safe place to be.

Interaction with the instructor is of particular importance, as this commonly entails the passing-on of knowledge, bespoke physical corrections and the exploration of deeper philosophical issues pertinent to the training.

Tai chi makes people feel happy. This is important in our stressed out society. The philosophical background and attitudes employed in tai chi practice are good for mental health.

They develop resilience, patience, friendliness and fun.

Mind, body, spirit

Tai chi practice possesses a spiritual component. This may be enhanced through Taoism and Zen, along with meditating, qigong, form and application.

An earnest student of tai chi becomes calmer, more harmonious. They have a sense of deep connection with all things. People seek to move in accord with events, rather than against.

Mobile

Being strong is fine, but mobility and coordination are way more important. How often do you really need to use your strength? You coordinate your body from the moment you get out of bed.

Tai chi teaches: healthy skeletal alignment, balance, agility, ambidextrous use of the limbs, gait (manner of walking), leverage and ergonomic body use.

You learn how to move freely, spontaneously and comfortably.

 Metabolism slows down 90 percent after 30 minutes of sitting. The enzymes that move the bad fat from your arteries to your muscles, where it can get burned off, slow down. The muscles in your lower body are turned off. And after two hours, good cholesterol drops 20 percent. Just getting up for five minutes is going to get things going again. These things are so simple they’re almost stupid.

(Gavin Bradley)

Energised

Modern life saps energy. People are often exhausted, unhappy, frustrated... They are frequently emotionally, physically and psychologically unbalanced. Feeling drained is commonplace.

Getting angry is normal. This is not a healthy way to live... Tai chi teaches people how to find balance in their lives and use their mind/body in a manner that is conducive to being energised.

Prevention

Although many modern people seek to use tai chi as a means of curing illness, this is not where its strength lies. Tai chi is best employed whilst healthy, not sick.

When a healthy person does tai chi they are more apt to remain healthy. It takes far less effort to prevent something than to cure it...

Intelligent exercise?

Tai chi is different. It works the body without exertion, physical stress or taxing the joints. There is very little risk of injury. You will not get out of breath.

In tai chi, much of the work will be performed by the mind. Students must improve their memory, perception, awareness, insights, mindfulness, presence, nervous system, acuity and intelligence.

To perform the art correctly, you must engage your whole being. Tai chi is a fun, balanced way to exercise.

 If we didn't tense our muscles, we're in good balance, not interfering with our breathing, and if we're free, tall and expansive in stature, and used a minimum of effort, then we could say we had done the job really well.

(Noel Kingsley)

The Chinese public first became aware of taijiquan in about 1750. Until then it had been practiced in secret for hundreds (if not thousands) of years.

Taijiquan offered many of the same skills as other styles of Chinese martial art, but with a twist. It contained none of the strenuous training methods and proved to be exceptionally good for your health.