Why Practice Tai Chi?

The practice of Tai Chi cultivates relaxation and mindfulness. It teaches you to move easily, without tension, so that your mind and body can function smoothly. This is perhaps its greatest health benefit and the source of its spiritual power.Tai Chi is designed to open you up, mentally and physically. Mentally so you can concentrate, your mind isn't easily distracted. Physically, so you can relax until all the residue of tension is gone. In this way, Tai Chi teaches you to move in harmony with yourself and your surroundings.The ability to move easily, with a sense of relaxed power, will manifest in your everyday activities. Eventually, you will move differently, open doors differently, carry packages differently, stand differently. You will also approach conflicts differently, whether in a family, with co-workers or with friends.Lao Tze spoke of the virtues of water: Water is unselfish, life giving, never asking for reward, able to infiltrate into and out of every place. Nothing is softer than water or more fluid. Water doesn't struggle. It does not resist. It goes into any space available. It takes the shape of its container."When my opponent is strong, I am soft. This is called "yielding."Like water, Tai Chi flows smoothly and offers no resistance. It yields, changes shape, moves into any available space. Like water, Tai Chi meets hardness with softness. If someone pushes you, you yield and change shape. Like water, Tai Chi can be soft as four ounces or powerful as a thousand pounds.It is important to remember that you don't yield for nothing. You yield to place yourself in a better position. This is the life strategy of Tai Chi.