Tai Chi

I’ve been doing Tai Chi for a few years now and it has changed my life. Not in the earth shattering way a traumatic experience does but in a much more agreeable way. The form of Tai Chi that I and many thousands of others practice helps to counteract the pressures of modern life and to cultivate health.

And it’s not difficult. OK so it is not something you can learn in 5 minutes in front of a DVD but like every endeavor if you practice regularly then the benefit soon become apparent. I not longer creak when I get up in the morning, don’t get colds and sniffles, smile a lot more and stress is a thing of the past.

So what’s it all about? There are many forms of Tai Chi, this video clip shows a style very similar to the one that I practice as taught by the Taoist Tai Chi Society.

The actual exercise is built around a set of 108 moves. It takes about 6 months to learn the set and the rest of your life to refine your technique. Even a simple move requiring a simple twist of the hand takes time to learn because we live such sedentary lifestyles that our tendons, joints and muscles are stiff and lazy.

Here’s an example of how Tai Chi can improve your health. Stand in front of the mirror and look at your feet, if they point out to the sides it means the tendons round the back are too tight. Some of the Tai Chi moves gently stretch these tendons and over time you will be able to stand with you feet pointing forwards, reducing pressure on your knees and making walking much easier.

If you live in the UK, £16/month is all it costs, and for that paltry sum you can attend as many classes as you like anywhere in the world. And you get a cup of tea with a biscuit. Bargain!