| Tai Chi is an interesting mixture of sometimes | | | | the postures themselves can be fairly |
| contradictory elements. It is an exercise that is | | | | straightforward, the movements between have |
| performed slowly and gets better the more | | | | many subtleties of weight transfer between the |
| relaxed you are. It is a martial art that is | | | | legs, the positioning of the head, the positioning of |
| non-aggressive and heals as you perform it. And, | | | | the feet and the movements of the trunk. Not to |
| possibly the most intriguing, it is a very private, | | | | mention the importance of breathing. Without an |
| inward-turning form of meditation that is | | | | experienced teacher to guide you and make |
| frequently practiced in groups. Much of your tai chi | | | | corrections it's very easy to get into bad habits |
| practice time will be spent in private moments | | | | while doing your form. If at all possible, especially |
| where you are turning inward and becoming fully | | | | at the beginning, even if you are taking most of |
| self-absorbed. However, to get to that point it is | | | | your instruction from a video, it would helpful to |
| helpful to work with a teacher and attend classes, | | | | have a teacher or someone else who is more |
| at least occasionally. | | | | experienced in Tai Chi, who can review your |
| When you look at Tai Chi in practice, it can | | | | progress at various times. |
| appear to be deceptively simple. Merely a lot of | | | | This is not to say that videos are not valuable. |
| slow motion movements and arm waving. One of | | | | Indeed, they can be tremendously helpful. |
| the blessings of Tai Chi is that the slow | | | | Especially for those who aren't sure whether Tai |
| movements are very relaxing, non-taxing and | | | | Chi is really their cup of tea. I actually started |
| easy to perform comfortably, but they also have | | | | learning Tai Chi from video before deciding that I |
| to be done properly to gain the most benefit. | | | | really wanted to attend a class to be sure I was |
| While the movements are slow, proper posture | | | | doing things correctly. After taking classes I felt |
| and balance must be maintained throughout, and | | | | more comfortable continuing to work with videos, |
| those waving arms are actually the torso turning | | | | knowing I had a foundation to work with. It's |
| with the arms moving as a result. In Tai Chi | | | | always helpful, to go back to an occasional class |
| nothing moves in isolation. Everything is moving as | | | | to have an expert look at your form to help |
| a result of something else that is moving with a | | | | eliminate bad habits. |
| purpose. | | | | Depending on where you live, finding a teacher |
| These subtleties can make Tai Chi difficult to learn | | | | may (or may not) be as easy as opening the |
| correctly without the benefit of a teacher. A Tai | | | | phone book. However, that's a subject for |
| Chi form consists of a series of "postures" with | | | | another article. Which, by shear coincidence, I've |
| connecting moves between. These movements | | | | already written. You can find it on this site under |
| are done slowly and precisely with little or no | | | | the title: How to find a Tai Chi Class or Teacher. |
| pause once the posture has been attained. While | | | | |