subject: Learn Tai Chi - 3 Tips to Keep You on Track [print this page] Learn Tai Chi - 3 Tips to Keep You on Track
When first learning Tai Chi there is a thrill about it. It is something new and exciting.
Then after a couple of weeks what can happen is the newness can wear off and instead of seeming exciting and new you reach a place where you start to understand how deep Tai Chi is. This can seem daunting because you realize how long the road ahead is and how much of the road you have already traveled.
Don't worry. Here are some simple tips to help you on your way.
1. Don't bite off more than you can chew
Especially if you are learning from a DVD. Keep your lessons focused on one or two things. You don't have to learn everything today to get the benefits of practicing. You get the benefits from consistent practice over time even if you don't know everything about Tai Chi.
It is better to practice one movement well than to practice one hundred movements very poorly. Tai Chi practice is really about understanding and making the Tai Chi principles real and tangible. These body principles will then become second nature and bring benefit to many aspects of your life because you use your body everyday. Tai Chi really teaches how to use your body more efficiently and effortlessly.
2. Don't think about all that you still have to learn- instead think about how far you have come
As human beings we tend to be goal oriented. So when taking up the study of Tai Chi a usual goal that we would set for ourselves might be to learn "this form" or be able to do "these exercises from the DVD."
Of course the long term goal of practice will be to learn the art of Tai Chi and practice daily but we have to remember that this is not a race. Sometimes it is good to look and see how much we have accomplished.
Another thing you can do as you learn is set goals that can be more quickly attained. Many beginners want to learn the Long Form but this is a very big task that takes some time. Usually about 1/3 of the way through the Long Form beginners can become frustrated and start to feel that the form is too "long" and that they will never finish it. Instead it is better to set goals that can be attained in a shorter time. Your long term goal could still be the daily practice of the Long Form. But in the meantime start with The Tai Chi Workout. Then move on to the Yang style Short Form.
And remember to give yourself credit for what you have accomplished.
3. Keep Plugging Away
Just keep going. Not everyday is the same. Some days we feel like superman and on top of the world and other days it feels like an accomplishment to get out of bed. Your practice will be similar. Some days your practice will feel so great and other it will feel like you are not doing anything right. Just remember this is just how it goes sometimes. Just like everything else in life there are ups and downs. Just don't give up but instead realize that when you feel something is difficult you might be on the verge of a breakthrough in your practice. And, when your practice makes you feel like you are on top of the world, realize that if you stay at that level you will not progress. It is always up and down but these up and downs are really small steps on the path to progress.
Also, be flexible with your daily practice. Not everyday has to be the same. You do not have to do all the same exercises or work-out for the same amount of time each day. Some days you can focus on certain aspects of practice and other day you might focus on other aspects. Some days you might not have time for a full practice session but instead might squeeze a couple of minutes in if you can. This is OK.
Remember:
Practice should be enjoyable and enrich your life.
