When things do not go the way we want them to, we are trained to lose our temper and try to force the outcome we desire.
This is not healthy.
In tai chi we are encouraged to allow others to go their own way. Whenever we encounter an obstacle, we seek to flow around it and avoid confrontation.
Even in self defence we look to use restraint; to do only as much as is necessary. Why cause harm to another?
Body building and weight lifting are fashionable activities today. The emphasis is upon developing external muscles which creates an armouring effect that can eventually distort the bony structure. It is the over developed musculature that actually torque's the bones and discourages them from bearing additional weight. The body attempts to compensate and problems arise.
Running does not necessarily in and of itself improve posture that is already poor and constricted. It often exaggerates problems due to the substitution of inappropriate muscles. The repetitive inappropriate development of the musculature (as in body building or weight lifting) often leads to diminished sensitivity. Stress occurs in the knees and lower back, encouraging injury.
Swimming is an activity that can either create structural problems or release them depending upon the way it is taught and practiced. Professional swimmers are known to develop shoulder tendonitis and kyphosis. Overriding head/neck righting reflexes (as occurs when the head is repeatedly turned but the body does not follow) eventually result in overdeveloping shoulder muscles, pinching nerves and distorting the rib cage.
Various sport activities emphasize strength, endurance and speed. Development of muscle control rather than skeletal balance takes precedence. Gaining speed at the expense of mounting tension, is too often the goal.
(Liz Koch)
Standing in one place advertises your position. You are literally a 'sitting duck'. You need to move spontaneously and freely, without any preparation or preamble.
This requires presence, awareness, composure and physical relaxation.
No matter what occurs, it is advisable to evade the attacker. If your opponent cannot make contact, they cannot inflict injury upon you. Agility is essential.
A cat can go from complete passivity to combat readiness instantaneously. It does not tense muscles and prepare. It just moves.
The cat does not psyche itself up, rock, dither or demonstrate any of the characteristics you often see demonstrated by human fighters.
Only a skilled student tends to move smoothly and calmly in response to threat. Beginners are jerky and tense.
Have you ever watched how a cat responds to perceived danger? The entire body moves as one, drawing away from the threat, coiling and expanding.
This is akin to the amoeba-like movement students acquire from reeling silk exercises if they take their training far enough. The cat evades and counters without hesitation or doubt. It moves.
Some things can be taught, whilst other things just occur.
You cannot teach someone to ride a bicycle. You just cajole and encourage. You do not really teach anything.Tai chi is not dance, gymnastics or boxing. Do not treat it like weight-lifting, either, and try to build muscles.
Over-training can harm your body and will reduce your enjoyment of the art.
Do less rather than more.
Stagger your training across the week and do a little every day.
If your training exceeds an hour a day then you are doing too much.
Even a skilled student should constantly trim off unnecessary exercises and keep their daily practice time down.
Qigong is intended to condition your body, to develop stamina and endurance.
But be wary of trying too hard.
If you find that your body is aching considerably and you feel really tired, you are doing the exercise incorrectly.
Let-go of your tension and relax into the posture.
Imagine that your arms are on strings or resting on something.
When in contact with another person, 4 ounces of pressure must be maintained.
This is not accomplished through effort.
Relax.
Let gravity do the work for you.
Beginners wear themselves out training qigong and partner work with too much tension.
Remember to use only the minimal amount of strength; use only what is necessary to hold your limb in place.
Anything more is wasted.
If you find yourself prowling the web looking for some way to assuage your boredom and vent your wrath, you may have some problems.
Rather than pour your heart out via TikTok, why not talk to a real person?One of the problems with the internet is that it encourages all manner of unpleasantness.
Blogs and chatrooms allow malignant people to insult strangers anonymously.Make the time to do nothing at all.
Have a 'do nothing day' in which you ignore:
the phone
chores
responsibilities
commitments
