T'ai Chi

There is an exercise that can give you an incredible advantage, both physically and mentally. Everyone can do it, whether you are young or old, pregnant, or wheel chair bound. In fact youth find it the most challenging because of our societal penchant for speed. The exercise is called T'ai Chi , and has been around for a very long time; approximately 1500 years, probably longer. It combines posture, breathing, circular movement and focused consciousness. It is simultaneously a walking meditation, and a principal martial art. When learning T'ai Chi every posture is done slowly, in a. circular manner. the Navy Seals Motto, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" exemplifies precision before speed. Each posture moves gently into the next one forming a dance of circles. The slower you do it, the more you learn. You become proficient one posture at a time, and when you get right, you tack on another posture, building until you have, depending upon what form you are attempting, around 80+postures. This exercise give you strength, stamina, speed, better balance, accuracy, muscle and joint therapeutics, and an overall ability to function better in whatever you are attempting. As a walking meditation, T'ai Chi focuses you in the here and now, stopping the brain chatter, the day dreaming that we all do constantly. The benefits of this are many; ie stress reduction, and a centered calmness that can be recalled in a moment's notice, during a crisis, or in whatever work situation you are in. If you find yourself in a challenging situation, physical or mental, your training will be there for you, calming you, allowing for a clearer response to the situation. Besides it's fun and challenging.