Structure

1)  Focus - cultivating stillness - mindful movement

2)  Daoist Joint opening movements. Free restrictions

3)  Qi Gong sets - 8 Silk Brocade  & 18 Tai Chi Qi Gong (Shibashi).   Silk Reeling

4)  Tai Chi 24 form - learning/practising/refining one or two new postures each week

How to prepare

Aways adopt a positive attitude and a here and now approach......

Wear loose clothes and soft shoes for ease of movement and not to restrict Chi.

Remind yourself how fortunate you are to receive the gifts of Chi. This alone will increase Chi !

How best to learn........ create practice time..... reduce displacement activity!

Regularly attend a focused structured class........ Concentrate !

How to practise at home...........quality time..... little & often.... focused... peaceful

Holistic Exercise

Go with the flow!......mindful movement. ......learning Tai Chi is more like learning music or dance. Endurance or intense cardio  training, which are at the other end of the spectrum may lead to heart problems or injury. Medical research is now showing moderation is key. The regular easy relaxed circular movements of joints and controlled easing of muscles and tissue restores the body

Generally, although Tai Chi can help with recovery from injury or illness, it is much better at prevention.

Breathing...... slow and easy..... relaxed......  just being........"cultivating stillness"

When learning Qi Gong focus the mind to control the posture movements, coordinating the breath, with visual vigilance. In & out through the nose for a count of 5

When practising the 24 Form just focus on the body movements, the breath will just follow.

The stages of learning (becoming aware):-

Unconscious Incompetence (no real understanding of Tai Chi elements)

Conscious Incompetence (can be frustrating, like learning to drive or correcting a skill)

Conscious Competence (takes knowledge and practice)

Unconscious Competence (then start the loop again..expand unconsciousness!)

Reframe any frustration as fascination!  - Tai Chi creates patience !!!

Learning Tai Chi is all about practice. The more you practice, the better you get. You learn it slow. In China, traditionally it was taught painstakingly slow. The immportance of slowness is to preserve sensitiviy. The learning process can only be quicker, the more you stay fully focused in the moment on mindfull movement

The best approach always is  "Either you think you can or you think you can't.... Either way you will be right"

So 100% positive thinking -  and particularly, only constructive self belief

The Everyday Tai Chi website has very interesting information.- click here

The Beginners Tai Chi website is also interesting - click here

No time for Tai Chi !  click here