The comfort zone

Stay in the comfort zone. In Tai Chi you will not find the held stretches of yoga, the wide stances of karate, the high kicks of kung fu or the sweaty brow of earobics.Tai Chi is a completative art that works with the mind , body and spirit, excess in one area would merely unbalance the practise of this subtle art. Traditionally regarded as the study of the warrior/scholar who may wield a sword or pen as befits the need of the moment, Tai Chi is a truely holistic practise for the complete self. When practising Tai Chi it is important that you do not move towards excess in any way. Over-stretching or pushing yourself to your physical limits are not what it is all about. Moderation is the key note, so do not work at the edge of your physical limits but draw back so that you operate within the comfort zone where you are stable, centred and secure. This does not mean that your effort should be curtailed and that concentration may be allowed to wander, To the contrary , ones focus and intention should always be a hundred percent. By applying acute attention to your practise whilst avoiding physical excess you have the best of both worlds, hieghtened attention and room to spare should any external force be applied to your postures. If you work from a place of tension you can not read the intention of another, softness is the key. So in Tai Chi we work from a place of security and strength , not the obvious strength of taut muscles and tense mind but from a place that is dynamic but soft, accepting and repelling by turns. It is not easy for an assailant to find your centre or use force to undo you when you work within a zone that is all about control and spatial awareness, should they make contact they at once become an extension of your system as you join with theirs and extend your control, first soft and accepting then using their motion and energy , hard when needed. Of course this level of attainment can only be gathered through much hard work with others and so for many years may remain a goal to be acheived, true softness is not gained over night and it is as much a state of mind as it is a physical skill , mind and body must operate in flawless harmony, and as my teacher says when I vent my frustration at falling short of this tall order and wonder when I too might access this place, his reply is "More Chi Gong". Oh well back to practise then!