7 Life Lessons I learnt from Tai Chi
Movement, meditation and philosophy
Over the years I have found myself drawn to the fascinating mix of movement, meditation and philosophy that Tai Chi has to offer. I have been lucky enough to have been taught by some very talented and dedicated instructors.
For those who don't know about Tai Chi, here is a little background. Tai Chi is a moving art originating from China. Its movements are typically organised into a ‘form’. A form contains a number of postures and transitions stung together into a continuous movement from beginning to end. The length and types of movements in the form vary from style to style but they often contain similar elements. These movements are practiced slowly and with purpose.
Here is a great example of Chen style Tai Chi…
Tai Chi like other moving arts has a rich history and has evolved to encompass so many aspects which may not be evident on first viewing. In other words it has a lot to offer.
Not long after I started to practice, I could see that Tai Chi was more than just waving your hands around slowly.
I’m no expert on Tai Chi but I can see that it is an integrated system designed to teach movement, martial arts, relaxation, body awareness, philosophy and connectivity with your internal health (energy) systems. Also through the practice of the movements it strengthens muscles, promotes joint health and supports longevity. All in a progressive way that avoids injury.
With Tai Chi I get the sense that it is both simple and complex. Like a flower, it can we appreciated for its beauty without understanding the complex balanced ecosystem it sits in. However, once you are aware of it, there is so much extra depth to it.
Here I’ve pulled together a few of the lessons that Tai Chi has taught me…
- Take smaller steps
In Tai Chi one of the first lessons I learnt was about stepping.
Whether forward, backwards or side to side all of these will be needed at one point in the form. In Tai Chi the aim is to step the appropriate distance for you so as to not over stretch or under stretch.
When stepping I was instructed to consider my physical limits, where I was going in the next move and plan my step accordingly. Over stepping can leave you unbalanced and unable to shift you weight correctly, leaving you stuck and unable to flow into the next move.
Under stepping can leave your posture too narrow and unbalanced, not stretching far enough to archive a strong posture. This leaves you at a disadvantage when making the next move.
For me the advice is quite often to take smaller steps. Don't try to copy someone else but make the move that's right for you at that time.
2. Move with purpose
When moving in Tai Chi you have to know where you are going, the shape you are making and the purpose of the movement. Tai Chi may look slow and soft, but make no mistake moving with purpose and precision no mater how slowly is a very powerful thing.
Know where you are going and more towards it with purpose no matter how slowly.
3. Don’t just move the extremity, move the whole body
In Tai Chi you never move a hand or foot, arm or leg in isolation from the rest of the body. You move your whole body and that part moves with it. It’s the support from the rest of the body that gives the move strength and purpose.
To move one part without the support of others is not as effective and can leave you exposed and weakened as a result. Better to put your whole self into what you are trying to achieve and move as one with strength and purpose.
4. Move in a way that supports longevity
Tai Chi is an excellent health practice. The gentle and continual stretching and compressing of joints, the spiralling movements in arms, legs and spine. As well as the non abusive way that it teaches you to move, such as making sure your weight distribution is correct and that you don’t twist your knees when turning and stepping. These all have longevity of the body and joints in mind.
Tai Chi teaches us to be aware of your body's limits and not pushing past them to abuse your joints and muscles. Rather continue practising and moving in the Tai Chi way and over time you body's limits will change, you will become stronger and more flexible without injury.
Abuse will get you results in the short term but brings many negative consequences. Sustainable actions with longevity in mind will build better results over time with far fewer negative consequences.
5. Movement powered by breath is easier and more powerful
One of the central elements of Tai Chi is that of the breath. The breath is a natural and vital process. You learn to feel how your body moves when breathing in and out. Tai Chi extends this to combine movement and breath. Focusing on synchronising breath and movement is not only relaxing but it makes the movement more natural and in some cases more powerful.
There is great power in you that can be applied in ways you didn't realise to great effect.
6. Learning new things is hard, so don't be surprised when you find it difficult
Learning Tai Chi is incredibly challenging, it’s a mental and physical puzzle that take a lot of practice hours to start to unravel. It’s OK to find things difficult and that fact is no reason to stop. You’re not learning it in the wrong way, there is no secret answer that makes it an effortless experience. If you are finding it hard that’s because it is hard. Practice and experience are the only things that makes it easier.
Just because you are finding something difficult is not a good enough reason to stop. If you are finding it hard that’s because it’s hard and that’s OK.
7. Learning Tai Chi takes a long time
Learning Tai Chi isn’t just about a 10 week course and a certificate. Sure that may be a beginning, but in reality there is so much depth to it that the learning can really go on for as long as you want. That's a concept that we struggle with in the West, where we are in a such a rush to complete things as quickly as possible and move on.
If you are on a long journey don’t wait until the end to celebrate. There will be plenty of accomplishments along the way, remember to enjoy them all.
I hope you found these lessons thought provoking and maybe even useful. Have fun thinking about how these could apply in your life. Have you ever tried Tai Chi? Why not leave me a comments and let me know?
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