Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese health gymnastics, which is rapidly gaining popularity around the world. It is simple and accessible. This is the appeal of tai chi for ordinary people. It has no contraindications. And the indications are many. Everyone who does not feel the strength to play sports, but still wants to somehow support their body and spirit, tai chi is what you need! Tai-Chi teaches you how to control your inner energy. I also decided to check on myself (more out of curiosity) - what is it, what the benefits of this gymnastics and enrolled in a two-month course. What are my first impressions?
The first lesson seemed too simple to me: just a few elementary movements, no fitness. Not a bit sweaty. However, it is in this simplicity and lack of fitness, that is, complex, exhausting training, and hides the secret of popularity of Tai-Chi. This gymnastics through a certain sequence of movements helps to balance the body and soul, as well as to restore the free flow of energy through our body. Coordination of movements and slow, conscious execution of them - these are the main difficulties that begin to master the tai chi. Keeping your thoughts on what you do is the hardest part. Almost like meditation.
Still, my Tai Chi body liked it. For a week after the first session, I had a desire to do the same exercise every day. I couldn't understand why. But I didn't oppose the desire, but simply did and felt more concentrated in work, balanced and calm in communication with children after them. These smooth, slow movements were superimposed in my head on one wise parable about which I wrote in the post "Hurry, take your time..." and now I am in no hurry. I'm taking one step, fixing, observing, realizing. I take the second step, observe again, enjoy, realize. And so on. Perhaps, I manage a little less than before, but with what pleasure I do what I do! Following this technique, you can stay in the flow almost continuously (about the state of "Flow", actively studied by positive psychology, I wrote here).
The second lesson was more difficult: more movements, at different rates. Many of them reminded me of the movements from the wushu that I had been doing in high school. If I hadn't been moved then, maybe I wouldn't have written here, but would have been a teacher of Wushu or a Buddhist monk:) But everything that does not happen is for the better. And now I really enjoy doing these hand movements again, like in a wushu, and the tai chi teacher is wondering why I am so good at it:)
Why do Tai Chi?
Tai Chi was originally a martial art, but it's not about aggression, it's about calm. These gymnastics gives a person softness and relaxation.
They say that Tai-Chi gymnastics teaches people to manage their energy, helps to establish contact with their own bodies. In addition, these exercises can have a fairly strong positive impact on the emotional sphere and physical health of the person.
I think that I will definitely continue to study and in a month I will write about my impressions and results. I should have gone to tai chi only to hear my children say this new word:
- Mom, are you going to Tai Chi? - My eldest son, who is 4.5 years old, asks me very seriously.
- Yes," I answer.
- And Dad is Tai Chi too? - The youngest son, who is now 2.5 years old, is interested.
- No, only Mom is Tai Chi, and Dad will put you to bed," I answer, and I run away until the children are ready to come with me.
Here you can watch Tai-Chi gymnastics for beginners. It is recommended to perform it every morning.