Finding Your Breath with Tai Chi
When you think of Tai Chi, you might be envisioning a slightly eccentric and gentle form of exercise. Maybe something your wacky aunt would be into or your hippie friend might try. Let me be the first to tell you that you're probably selling one of the most ancient practices for attaining internal peace just a bit short. Let's find out what Tai Chi is really all about, and how it can reshape your body and mind.
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is a martial art practice from China with known origins dating back to 1670. Quite opposite to the philosophy behind most other forms of martial arts, Tai Chi is non-violent. Instead, the practice is all about cultivating inner peace through physical discipline. Many call it an "inner martial art" since the work is as equal in the mind as it is in the physical aspects.
From observing Tai Chi, what you'll see are slow controlled movements, almost as if someone were dancing or fighting in slow motion. What's really happening is the body is learning to become more fluid by freeing up tension or blocked energy.
One of the main beliefs behind Tai Chi is that the body houses "chi", or energy. This chi flows through the body of a healthy individual, but when we become agitated, stressed or upset, the flow is disrupted so we develop energy stagnation and corresponding physical stiffness.
What Does Tai Chi Do?
Tai Chi is able to treat these ailments of mental unease and physical rigidity by cultivating full-body awareness in the present moment. This diverts the mind away from emotional struggles and allows for you to tune into your physical body instead. Only then can you begin to observe what is out of balance and causing discomfort. The remedy is to introduce gentle movement into those physical areas to ease the accumulated stagnation stemming from our emotions.
If this is all starting to sound complex, let's reel it back in to another important belief of Tai Chi. All parts are connected, so when one thing moves, it affects all the rest. You can think of it like a ripple on the surface of the water. In people, ripples usually originate in the mind before travelling into the body. It's only when we can find peace in our minds and fluidity in our bodies that we can begin to calm the surface of the water and find bliss.
How to Start PRACTICING Tai Chi
If this path to inner bliss is tempting and you're eager to give Tai Chi a try, there are a few important things to remember. Firstly, you won't see results overnight. It will take some time to simply learn the movement patterns and corresponding breathwork before you can fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Secondly, Tai Chi is all about slowing down and building discipline. We function at such a fast pace in the modern world that it can be hard to snap out of this rushed state. You might be tempted to watch a few Tai Chi videos online and call it a day, but I encourage you to seek out an in-person class or teacher to guide you instead. They'll be able to offer personalized assistance and give you a more authentic experience of this practice.
If you're ready to slow down, tune in, and bliss out, Tai Chi might just be the answer you've been searching for.