| u're new to Tai Chi practice, or martial arts in | | | | forms, start doing them lower to the ground. In |
| general, you've probably found that there's a lot | | | | order to hold your body up, you will have to use |
| you need to develop about your body - some of | | | | a lot more leg strength. At the same time, slow |
| which you might not have even been aware of | | | | down the speed of your set. This will add another |
| before you began your practice. This article will | | | | level of difficulty to your exercises. If you do |
| give you some exercises to work on a couple of | | | | your set lower and slower, you should definitely |
| areas - one to help you with relaxation and | | | | break a sweat by the time you are done! |
| releasing body tension and and a few others to | | | | (Although this will strengthen your legs, make sure |
| help you develop the leg strength that you need | | | | you keep proper structural alignment throughout. |
| to be successful in the martial arts. | | | | If you don't, you run the risk of injury.) |
| Body Bouncing and Shaking | | | | 2. One Slow Squat. This exercise can fit the |
| Body bouncing and shaking is exactly what it | | | | schedule of even the busiest person. It only takes |
| sounds like. Stand, let your body relax as much as | | | | a minute at most! Do one squat. That's all you |
| possible, bend slightly at the knees, and bounce | | | | have to do. But here's the catch: you have to |
| and shake your whole body. It is really very | | | | make it last the whole minute. That means 30 |
| simple, thought you might never have thought to | | | | seconds down and 30 seconds back up. It can be |
| do it before. To make the exercise even more | | | | harder than it seems. As you start out, you might |
| effective, it will help you to begin the movement | | | | have to settle for a 40 second squat where you |
| from the feet. | | | | spend 20 seconds going down and another 20 |
| Body bouncing not only helps you to release | | | | seconds going up. But eventually you can work up |
| excess tension but also helps to clear energy | | | | to spending a whole minute doing only one really |
| blockages. As you do the exercise, you may | | | | slow squat. The key to this exercise is to make |
| notice areas that do not easily release the tension. | | | | sure to do one every day and that way, over |
| Focus on these areas and continue to bounce and | | | | time, your legs will build the strength you need. |
| shake your whole body until these areas are clear | | | | 3. Just Use Your Legs More. Modern society has |
| of tension. | | | | thought of many clever ways to get you off |
| It will also help if you have a good time while you | | | | your feet. Cars, chairs, and elevators are all very |
| are doing the exercise. Laugh and enjoy the | | | | convenient. Unfortunately, they don't help you |
| exercise. Humans are not the only creatures who | | | | develop strong legs. Now it's your turn to figure |
| practice body bouncing and shaking. If you watch | | | | out how to use your legs more. You don't have |
| your dog or cat, you will see that they also | | | | to bike to work - though that might help - but |
| regularly shake their bodies. In fact many animals | | | | pay close attention to what you do during each |
| practice something like body bouncing and shaking | | | | day and look for any times you aren't using your |
| in order to get rid of excess tensions. If you go | | | | legs when you could be. Never lean over to reach |
| to the zoo, watch the animals and see how many | | | | something. Instead do a squat. Stop sitting down |
| of them you can spot doing this exercise! | | | | to eat, watch TV, work on the computer or |
| Strengthen Your Legs | | | | whatever. Instead pick a low stance, any one you |
| If you recently began Tai Chi, you will have | | | | like, and use that instead for as long as you can. |
| noticed that the martial art requires a lot more leg | | | | There are many many other exercises that you |
| strength than what you ordinarily might have. | | | | can use in addition to these if you have the time, |
| Luckily, there are ways you can build leg | | | | but if you are busy, these simple exercises can |
| strengthening exercises into your daily routines. | | | | greatly increase your relaxation and can help you |
| Here are three simple techniques to help | | | | build an incredible amount of leg strength while |
| strengthen your legs. | | | | only taking up a few extra minutes of your day. |
| 1. Modify Your Tai Chi Set. As you practice your | | | | |