| Feature Article
Tai Chi Improves More than Your Health
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
When students are observed practising their Tai Chi over
a period of time, many changes are revealed. Beginners
usually carry a lot of tension and are unsure of what they are doing.
This is perfectly natural. All students go through this stage. Some
people become frustrated and give up after a few weeks. Instead of
concentrating on the positives, such as, feeling more relaxed and
gaining more freedom of movement after each lesson, they focus on what
they are not “achieving”. It is all a matter of time and regular
practice. Be prepared to invest some quality time in your health and
fitness – you will be well rewarded!
From experience, it takes about 6 months before our minds
and bodies understand what we are trying to do. As long as we have
decided to persevere, we can only improve and reap more benefits from
our practice. No two people are the same – our bodies, minds and
emotions are all different. When we begin learning the Tai Chi
form, some of us may feel sore muscles, others may feel uncoordinated
and there may be those who think it’s too slow. Gradually, as our
bodies change, we feel more relaxed and coordinated
Some students wonder about the secret of doing Tai Chi
well. If you have
read Tai Chi books or have had the opportunity to train with a master,
you will have noticed that “practice” is the most often heard word.
Everyone understands the meaning of this word in a way. It involves
many qualities which are to be cultivated through the process. The
journey and the goal are very much one and the same. Practice implies
determination,
discipline, patience, mindfulness, openness, equanimity, letting go,
feeling and being in the moment. If all of these qualities are present,
you will notice improvement daily. The body will respond if the mind is
willing. This applies to all levels, whether you are a beginner or a
seasoned practitioner. Students, who are mindful of applying the Tai
Chi principles in their regular practice, are aware of their bodies and
adjust accordingly. They cannot help but make progress. When students
train in this way, they naturally feel good, calm, healthier and more
energised. Self judgment about the level of their Tai Chi falls away
and becomes irrelevant.
Tai Chi is different from many other exercises. It is
constantly working on refining the mind-body relationship. With regular
practice, we come to know our mind, body and emotions more intimately.
We become more aware of conditions that upset our balance, temperature
changes and the quality of energy in certain places. We can detect
weaknesses in the body more quickly, for example, the early stages of a
cold or flu before any apparent symptoms, the true effects of having
eaten or drunk something that is not good for the body. We also learn
how to recharge our energy. In traditional Chinese medicine, this is
the key to the prevention of illness.
People who have practised Tai Chi for a few years gain
insight into themselves and others. Regular practice refines our
personality, tempers our emotions, opens our minds and keeps us young at
heart in body and spirit. This process naturally unfolds as we become
more relaxed and calm. The ancient wisdom of Tai Chi is renewed and
rediscovered every time we practise.
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