Good Health in Slow Motion

I've been studying T'ai Chi for a little over a year. Recently I bought a book of notes by one of the disciples of Master T.T. Liang, "Lessons With Master Liang" by Ray Hayward.

At first T'ai Chi frustrated me because it was so slow. It seemed I was learning at the pace of a snail, one posture per week on a good week. I'm discovering that it is an in-depth art. There are so many slight adjustments to learn.

Many Americans don't consider learning T'ai Chi just because it's so slow. And how can anything that slow be good exercise?

I have been amazed at how my body feels after a class or a thorough practice. The slow, controlled movements allow the  blood to circulate. Afterward my joints and muscles feel alive, even lubricated.

Here's a quote from Master Liang:

"Slow motion is good for health because, first of all, by practicing slowly, the ch'i sinks to the tan-t'ien (lower abdomen) and the blood will circulate throughout the body without hinderance. If you use this kind of slow-motion energy, it will come from your sinews and tendons. If you use external force to move your body, it will tense-up and your ch''i will rise. This is not good for health. If you practice the slow movement of T'ai-Chi, the energy will gradually penetrate into the sinews and tendons and make the blood circulate throughout the entire body. When this happens, it will be really good for health." ~"Lessons With Master Liang," by Ray Hayward.

So take a deep breath today. Think. Then move ahead slowly and with purpose. And have a blessed day.