| Feature Article Making a Place for Tai Chi in Your Life
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Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
Most of us live very busy lives. There is little time in our daily routines for health and
relaxation. With work and family commitments, there is not much time left for ourselves.
Sometimes, the value of something like Tai Chi is only realised when we stop. Old injuries
come back to haunt us, our joints become stiff and we feel tired and low in spirits. We
tend to forget just how beneficial these gentle exercises really are. A famous Chinese
medical practitioner once said, "Don't wait until you are thirsty before you dig a
well." Prevention saves a lot of time, money and emotional stress in the long term.
Training in Tai Chi will eventually become a joy - something we really want to do.
The initial stage of training is to build up your energy. You have reached the first level
when your hands feel warm and you feel a sense of peace and relaxation when you practise.
This is usually achieved in about 3 to 6 months. Ideally, you should do some training
every day, even 10 minutes. However, if you are not practising regularly, it may take
longer.
Building our energy requires consistency and effort. Stopping and
starting will not allow the energy to accumulate. Like boiling water, if
you keep turning the power on and off and continually lift the lid, the
water won't boil. The power needs to be constant and over a period of
time. Once the water is boiling, you can lower the temperature and it
will continue to boil.
Why should we Practise?
The benefits of good health and relaxation give us quality of life. Once the energy is
flowing, you will feel an inner joy and vitality that gives everything we do a certain
sparkle.
What is the Secret?
Learn to develop self discipline by doing something every day without excuses. This is how
self discipline is built; no one is born with it. This is an important trait of character.
It will help you through all sorts of difficulties. Next, we need to be able to persevere
with what appears in the beginning to be a boring task, such as the Quiet Standing. At
first, you might only feel just a little. It may seem monotonous. Gradually, you will feel
more and then you will not want to stop. It is only through regular practice that the body
will change.
Don't make excuses. We all tend to think that "somebody else is more gifted",
"I am too young or too old", "I am tired", "the weather is
cold", etc. Once you make one excuse, you will find many more. Everyone has essential
energy and ability. In the end, development depends on your practice. A teacher can only
show you the way. If you are determined, believe in yourself and practise regularly, you
will reap the rewards.
Learning to Handle Failure
In China, there are many stories concerning inner strength. One of the main attributes of
one's character is being able to cope with failure. If we are always successful in our
endeavours, it does not necessarily mean that we are strong emotionally and mentally. If
we can deal with difficulties or as the Chinese say, "eat bitter" and keep on
going, we will find the true meaning of success. If we continue to fail at something, it
may mean that we have not fully understood the reasons for failure. If this is the case,
we need to be even more determined to overcome the problem. See the difficulties as
stepping stones on your path of self development.
Tai Chi and Qigong training have been practised for thousands of years. Their benefits are
well proven and are there for all to enjoy. Making an effort to practise regularly will
enable you to enter the door to the many joys of what these arts have to offer. What you
will get in return is well worth the effort.
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