Written By Alan Good
When you consider your happiness and wellbeing and set aside reasons to not practice some form of exercise, looking inside at the person you wish to become, you begin to realize that you are capable of more joy and more well-being.
You see yourself as worthy of a better life. And as you begin to feel more like your happiest and healthiest self, would you like that for your life? Would it be worth 7 minutes of your day?
Are you looking for a way to remain—or become—flexible? Do you want an exercise routine that is both easy on your body yet gets results? Try Tai Chi.
Tai Chi can be completely transformative, and when you know the secret, totally easy. And what is the secret? The secret is to let go. Let go of your thoughts about doing it right or wrong. Let go of being perfect, of being critical, of self doubting.
“Let go and that means you can just float. Like a leaf in the wind, like a boat in a gentle stream, like a being of your highest spirit, floating in a serene sea of blissful energy,” assures one Tai Chi teacher.
Contrasted to other styles, the movements of Tai Chi are much gentler, smoother and flow together at a more even pace, thus it attracts a wider range of people. In Tai Chi the mind commands body movements thoughtfully, intentionally.
The structure of the body is held with minimal or no tension and all parts of the body, especially the joints involved in the movement, are connected and integrated to perform the movement.
The practice of Tai Chi emphasizes the use of pliable muscular strength in performing the movement while relaxing, loosening, and sinking at all the joints. The proper relaxation of the musculature by avoiding the use of tensed strength while moving at the same slow—fluid—pace not only helps to develop body sensitivity and motor control (balance for example), but it also improves the circulation of energy and blood throughout the body providing an ideal environment for healing.
Flexibility and endurance can be achieved through this form of exercise, I believe, more than any other, except perhaps yoga (maybe the only thing not tried). Tai Chi provides relaxation while reducing stress. Again, don’t worry about the form, concentrate on the doing.
Mindful doing with intention, draws energy into your body, into the joints. Doing things intentionally means watching and not thinking about other things. As with meditation, you learn to let thoughts pass on through and just see the now, the present.
There are some good starter videos on YouTube to see if Tai Chi is for you. Go to “Tai Chi for Beginners”. Give it some time. See if this can be what provides you with more energy and a positive attitude.
