Instant Zen or Instant Stress

The door is open, you just need to walk through...

The media like to call Tai Chi moving meditation. But how many of you have actually related your practice as just that? Anybody?

From observations, very few have found meditation in Tai Chi. On the surface the process in learning doesn't quite lend itself to anything meditative. At least it is not obvious. It also depends on the person and how they handle the instructions and process. Whilst the media likes to tell people Tai Chi is great for helping mental health. In reality, it isn't a solution for everybody. Learning Tai Chi may involve some stress. But isn't this the same, when you try something new? The only person I knew who was not stressed must have been under the influence. He was totally chilled with it all. For the rest of us, we have struggled from time to time.

Solid or empty?

We often talk about this in class and I am keen to help students incorporate the wellbeing side into their lives. There is no one solution. This is about pragmaticism and giving students the tools to practice. This cannot be drip fed and I respect each and every student is different. Tai Chi is a sophisticated art and practicing is not easy. When you're feeling challenged, then there is stress. It'll be wrong to promise you instant Zen. Not all forms of meditation is Zen-like. But if one understood what are the obstacles, then we could minimise stress. The media likes to tell you that Tai Chi is good for this or that. Often, not grounded in facts or based on personal experience. In general, exercise releases endorphins, lowers cortisol and increases neurotransmitters like serotonin. The result is, that exercise makes you feel good and improves your mental wellbeing. For some students, they receive the basic health benefits. For those who practice Tai Chi more often, they have a reap a lot more. Tai Chi can help, but you need the support from the right kind of teacher.

Please try it for yourself and give yourself some time. Often people come once and then give up. They've never tried to give it some time. Where we want to treat Tai Chi as meditation, we should also be mindful that you need to do it to find it. Like meditating, nobody can do it for you. Good things come slowly to those who seek it. Keep it up, because at the end of the day, your training doesn't lie.

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