How to Perform Tai Chi Meditative Movements

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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After you've started to practice meditation, you can begin to apply your sense of internal life energy (chi) to your tai chi movements. As a result, they will become more graceful and flowing.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Tai Chi Medidation Music
Martial Arts Supplies
Martial Arts Uniforms
Tai Chi Videos

Step1

Begin with regular meditation. Stand with your feet parallel, at about shoulders' width apart. Relax your entire body and calm your mind.

Step2

Inhale and exhale deeply, breathing from your diaphragm. Imagine fatigue and tension escaping as you exhale, and fresh air and energy entering your body as you inhale.

Step3

Concentrate on the rhythm of your body. Sense the blood flow, your breathing and so on until you can feel the body's natural rhythm.

Step4

Bring up your spirit or awareness to the top of your head (crown point) by imagining a string pulling you up. The "lift" of this erect posture will keep your spine aligned while letting your body relax.

Step5

Push your breathing lower until you reach an area about 3 inches below the navel and 2 inches inward (the tan t'ien, known as the center of your chi). This means your breathing is centered in your diaphragm. Your focus on the tan t'ien keeps your weight going downward, moving with gravity instead of fighting against it.

Step6

Meditate every day. After several weeks or months, you'll begin to sense the rhythm of your internal energy without the assistance of deep breathing. At first you may experience chi as intense tingling or electric energy. In time this feeling will fade into a natural energy flow.

Step7

Begin to practice the tai chi form in a meditative manner. Allow your chi to flow with your mind and body, keeping your posture erect while keeping your center of gravity focused at the tan t'ien. Your movements will begin to flow with little or no effort.

Tips & Warnings

Cultivation of chi and development of meditative movement require time and repeated practice, and vary by individual.
If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity.