Why tai chi is for everyone
Whenever someone says that tai chi just isn’t for them, I struggle to process this because it’s as if they just said that breathing just isn’t for them – it doesn’t make sense.
I mean, it makes sense within the context of their understanding and perhaps because they’ve only done a beginner’s class and not persevered with their training.
Here’s the thing, sometimes I just can’t be bothered to practice, but I still do it.
Like today on the hottest day of the year, indoors with no aircon.
I do it because just like breathing, it doesn’t matter whether I like it or not, it needs to be done.
So why should you practice tai chi? For these reasons, in no particular order:
- you can reduce stress and anxiety
- you can improve your leg strength
- you can improve your balance
- it improves your ability to perform in other sports and activities
- it improves your breathing
- it improves your discipline
- it improves your mental focus
- you can use it to change your mindset
- you can use it to deal with deep unresolved issues
- you can use it to reprogramme your mind and remove limiting beliefs
- it can improve your agility
- it can improve your flexibility
- it can improve the way you move overall
- you can use it to defend yourself
- you can use it to change the way you process the world
- you can feel like you’re living a life of ease
- you can practice it when you’re tired or recovering from strenuous exercise (active recovery)
- you can use it to improve your mood
- it can improve your social life
- you can practice it when you’re old and frail
- it can keep you feeling young
I can’t think of another activity that can do all this.
My only question is: why are you not practicing tai chi?