Always Ready: Tai Chi Principles

Always Ready! 
    The world we live in these days has become less predictable or more dangerous due to out of control extremism and drug abuse. Therefore, It behooves us to become more vigilant of possible threats or attacks against us.
    So how do we guard against such persons or things who could cause us harm?
    Tai chi techniques can deflect or control physical hand to hand attacks. The effectiveness of our techniques depends on our proficiency and practice of applications in the style we choose to practice.
    It's  not enough to watch a video or read a book about tai chi. Only consistent practice with a qualified instructor can prepare you for modern day physical threats.
    Even then, tai chi chuan forms alone cannot protect us from all possible threats or attacks. We must rely on the five principles of tai chi, including Form, Breath, Balance, Relaxation and Connection, to shield us from danger.
   The principle of Connection prescribes that we maintain awareness of our environment at all times. We must always be vigilant of any possible attack or situation that could harm us. We must be ALWAYS READY!

Start Again When Things Go Wrong

Start again when things go wrong

Somtimes in life it is best to start again when things go wrong. Recently I found this to be absolutely true when my wife and I attempted to park our 25 foot travel trailer in the narrow gap between our house and the fence we share with our neighbor. Seriously, the gap that we back the trailer into allows for only four inches clearance on either side. My wife uses a hand held radio to guide me while I jockey the rig back and forth until we stick it into its parking spot.

You can imagine the frustration we both felt as we tried to coordinate the movement of the big rig so that it didn't strike the house or knock the fence down. I drove the pickup pulling the trailer forward and backward time after time trying to get the trailer into the right angle to fit the driveway. But the more I tried, the worse things got. You guessed it: disaster! I finally jacknifed the pickup as it hit the fence knocking off one of the driving lights and bending the trim.

We both threw up our hands, completely exasperated. What could we do? Obviously, what we were doing was not working.

We would not give up. We kept shifting the rig back and forth, trying to inch the back of the trailer away from the fence, but it still was not doing much good. Finally, we decided that the only thing to do was to unhitch the trailer, pull the truck away and re-hitch bringing the truck back at a straight angle.

It worked! We were able to straighten the trailer and slide it into its slot without further damage. Boy, were we relieved.

I've told you this anecdote because I think it applies to life in general and especially to our healing practices, such as tai chi, qigong and meditation. Sometimes what we are doing to deal with stresses, conflicts and boredom in our lives, just isn't working. Our habits like drinking, smoking, sitting, or stressing, just aren't healthy and don't allow us to find that healthful slot that we all want.

So what is the alternative? You guessed it: turn a new leaf. Start again. Start practicing tai chi and meditation. Yes, and sign up for lessons. When you renew your conviction to seek better health and well-being, you will find that it works. Just don't back into the fence.

George K.

September 4, 2022

Tai Chi Walking

Tai Chi Walking continues to be part of our curriculum at Radiant Palm Tai Chi, and we try to work a few minutes of it in to each class. It not only strengthens the calves, thighs, and ankles, but hones a student's balance. Whenever I ask why a student has decided to learn Tai Chi, invariably the first reason given is to improve their balance.

With so many of us experiencing the loss of bone density these days, honing our balance skills is paramount in preventing damaging trips or falls. Falling, in fact, can lead to months in the hospital, rehabilitation, or even death. Learning the skills of Tai Chi and Tai Chi walking can lesssen damage incurred when losing one's balance leading to a fall.

Tai Chi Walking skills depend on the same balancing skills learned in our beginning Tai Chi classes. Students learn to identify the balance centers within the body and how to align them to achive perfect balance. These skills can be applied to Tai Chi Walking on a day to day basis. Why not contact us to schedule your class in Tai Chi walking?