Most people think of learning Tai Chi when they are ill, it should be learned when in good health as it prevents illness. When you become sick, your movements are weak and it is harder to learn. To understand Tai Chi and feel the Chi, it takes time, therefore the younger you learn, the more you benefit. Just like saving money, the younger you save, the more you accumulate profits.
Tai Chi Chuan is an internal and external exercise for the whole body. Every movement when done correctly uses the entire body. The Chi (vital energy) moves up and down from the top of our heads to the soles of our feet.
Practicing Tai Chi is not just a physical exercise, it also a mental one. You will learn relaxation, concentration, tranquility, harmony, better balance and breathing; it makes your muscles stronger, increases your calcium, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation, etc.
Nowadays people are working on computers, children are playing video games, in the same position for long periods of time. The repetitive movements will eventually create problems in the joints, wrists and muscles. Future generations will have more problems in their neck, back, arms, wrists and fingers. To prevent this, one should not stay in the same position for more than an hour. Ideally, one should move every half hour, and exercise daily.
One key element in Tai Chi Chuan is posture. If you observe Tai Chi Masters, the head, neck, and spine are always in a vertical line.
Tai Chi Chuan is a martial art that does not require strength. Its practice applies to daily life, such as when driving, sweeping the floor, shoveling snow, lifting up objects, using softness to defeat heaviness, etc. You learn how to save energy to complete your tasks. It also helps in dealing with people with softness and gentleness; softness can overcome strength, hardness can be melted by gentleness.
Once you learn the basics of Tai Chi, you can practice anytime, anywhere.
Grace Chui
