| 1. Relax - loosen your grip, relax your shoulders | | | | 5. Stay aware - expand your sphere of |
| and waist. Let your hands "stick" lightly to the | | | | awareness beyond the vehicle. This includes |
| wheel. You will be able to respond more quickly | | | | reading the road ahead, sensing the road surface |
| and efficiently to changing conditions. | | | | and terrain, becoming more conscious of changing |
| 2. Save energy -save fuel as well as your own | | | | engine sounds, tire noise and other indications that |
| nervous energy by driving more smoothly, | | | | may require your attention. |
| reducing unnecessary acceleration, and braking | | | | 6. Stay present - don't anticipate. You can't |
| and cornering more gently. Drive as if you had an | | | | assume that other drivers or pedestrians will do |
| open box of eggs loose on the back seat. You | | | | the right thing. Be prepared for anything to |
| may add a few minutes to the duration of your | | | | happen and you'll not be taken by surprise. |
| journey but you'll arrive safe and relaxed, and | | | | 7. Stay centered - remember your belly (dantien), |
| your passengers will admire your smooth driving. | | | | breath quietly with your diaphragm and relax your |
| You'll also extend the life of your car and reduce | | | | shoulders. This will improve your concentration and |
| running costs. | | | | co-ordination, help you to feel more comfortable |
| 3. Stay cool - suspend your judgement about the | | | | and to stay out of pointless and dangerous |
| actions of others and focus on developing your | | | | competition with other drivers. |
| own skills. The mistakes of others are all | | | | These are very basic applications of tai chi |
| opportunities for you to learn and improve. This | | | | principles to driving, but higher level driving |
| will keep you out of unnecessary conflicts and | | | | techniques such as recovery from rear-wheel |
| help you to become a truly superior driver. | | | | front-wheel/4-wheel skids have striking similarities |
| 4. Stay awake - on long journeys, be aware of | | | | to tui shou/pushing hands in tai chi. There's always |
| the quality of your attention and maintain it by | | | | more to learn, but remember, unless you're a |
| extending the back of your neck, regulating your | | | | professional racing driver, driving a car should |
| breathing and contracting/lifting the perineum to | | | | NEVER be a competitive activity. Your primary |
| raise flagging energy levels. Where necessary | | | | purpose is the comfortable transportation of |
| tapping on acupuncture points can help to release | | | | yourself and your passengers. |
| energy and improve concentration. Take exercise | | | | Relax, enjoy and go safely. |
| breaks periodically. Respect your need for rest. | | | | |