T’ai Chi is an unusual exercise form in that it descends from martial arts practiced up to 1,200 years ago in China. The legends of its origin are many and varied, but have a common theme that the founders were great students of nature, and developed the movements of the form from studying the movements of animals, birds, and reptiles. The most famous story involves a monk who watched a battle between a swan and a snake. As the swan struck at the snake in linear, direct movements, the snake used its coils to create circles and evade each attack.
Those are fantastic tales and legends, but the modern application of T’ai Chi is what we’re talking about today. Simply put, t’ai chi (the grand ultimate) is a great complement to any fitness regimen, and can assist the athlete in three distinct areas:
• Mind/Body awareness
• Balance
• Stamina
T’ai Chi is practiced slowly with great care and deliberation. As we practice each movement, we train our minds to be conscious of our balance, and our form. As we gain control over our minds, it gives us the ability to feel and hear as our body responds to each movement. Taken into other areas, even when the exercise is performed more quickly and swiftly, it helps us to improve the form, to be able to replicate movements recommended by coaches and to quickly progress in the practice of other forms of training.
Balance is often taken for granted. When we are young, we think we either “have it or we don’t” and can’t really improve our sense of balance and grace. Most often, again, balance is much more about our mind and ability to pay attention than any natural abilities or aptitudes. T’ai Chi practice slows us down, allows us to understand when our body is “on balance” or “off balance.” We then realize we have choices, and can choose to perform movements that make the most sense and gain a greater understanding of our own bodies and our balance.
The final note for this column is on stamina. T’ai Chi is performed so slowly and with such deliberation that it couldn’t possibly contribute to overall fitness…or could it? On this I would like to end with a personal anecdote. In 2009 when I was preparing for my 4th Degree Aikido Black Belt test, I was extremely worried about my stamina during the lengthy test (over 30 minutes of intense partner work, falling and defensive technique), because I am NOT a model of fitness and athleticism. I didn’t really do anything toward developing my stamina during training—all my efforts were improving technique and remembering the 150 different defenses that were part of the test (I was only going to have to do seven, but mistakes led to failure to promote).
My schedule didn’t permit me to do additional cardio training, but during this time I was teaching some 5 to 8 hours of t’ai chi weekly.
The day of the examination came, and I was really worried, but the test, more intense than I actually expected, with a longer free-style sparring period, was over before I even started to tire. The only difference was that during that 6 month run up, was the amount and duration of t’ai chi.
T’ai chi was the difference in that test, and in many of the physical activities I enjoy. I encourage anyone to add t’ai chi to their routine and see the impact for yourself.
Those are fantastic tales and legends, but the modern application of T’ai Chi is what we’re talking about today. Simply put, t’ai chi (the grand ultimate) is a great complement to any fitness regimen, and can assist the athlete in three distinct areas:
• Mind/Body awareness
• Balance
• Stamina
T’ai Chi is practiced slowly with great care and deliberation. As we practice each movement, we train our minds to be conscious of our balance, and our form. As we gain control over our minds, it gives us the ability to feel and hear as our body responds to each movement. Taken into other areas, even when the exercise is performed more quickly and swiftly, it helps us to improve the form, to be able to replicate movements recommended by coaches and to quickly progress in the practice of other forms of training.
Balance is often taken for granted. When we are young, we think we either “have it or we don’t” and can’t really improve our sense of balance and grace. Most often, again, balance is much more about our mind and ability to pay attention than any natural abilities or aptitudes. T’ai Chi practice slows us down, allows us to understand when our body is “on balance” or “off balance.” We then realize we have choices, and can choose to perform movements that make the most sense and gain a greater understanding of our own bodies and our balance.
The final note for this column is on stamina. T’ai Chi is performed so slowly and with such deliberation that it couldn’t possibly contribute to overall fitness…or could it? On this I would like to end with a personal anecdote. In 2009 when I was preparing for my 4th Degree Aikido Black Belt test, I was extremely worried about my stamina during the lengthy test (over 30 minutes of intense partner work, falling and defensive technique), because I am NOT a model of fitness and athleticism. I didn’t really do anything toward developing my stamina during training—all my efforts were improving technique and remembering the 150 different defenses that were part of the test (I was only going to have to do seven, but mistakes led to failure to promote).
My schedule didn’t permit me to do additional cardio training, but during this time I was teaching some 5 to 8 hours of t’ai chi weekly.
The day of the examination came, and I was really worried, but the test, more intense than I actually expected, with a longer free-style sparring period, was over before I even started to tire. The only difference was that during that 6 month run up, was the amount and duration of t’ai chi.
T’ai chi was the difference in that test, and in many of the physical activities I enjoy. I encourage anyone to add t’ai chi to their routine and see the impact for yourself.
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