Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hello Folks,
Yesterday I talked a little bit about martial arts as a spiritual practice. I mentioned that I did Tai Chi for 7 years. When I first started doing Tai Chi it was really challenging for me to try to move so slowly. I had a background in sports and was used to a much faster pace. I also felt awkward and unbalanced.
It was funny to me that even though I grew up an athlete it was hard for me to do Tai Chi. Eventually I was able to get my body to do the sequence very accurately, and what I discovered was unreal.
At the school where I learned Tai Chi the master who founded it was very big on not talking about the spiritual benefits. He preferred to focus on the health benefits. He also never talked about breathing or trying to breathe a certain way, he suggested to let it come naturally.
What I discovered was that Tai Chi was like a form of meditation. I found myself becoming very peaceful and relaxed while doing it. I also noticed a significant change in my leg strength and flexibility. And, ultimately, I discovered it’s spiritual benefits. I found myself breathing with the moves almost as though my body and my breathe were one thing. I felt it harmonizing me with the energy of the universe. As crazy as that sounds....I suggest trying it for yourself before totally disregarding the spiritual benefits...but if you are in it for the fitness then you will benefit either way.
If you look at someone doing Tai Chi it is easy, I think, to see it's spiritual quality...
Exercise: Free
Menu: Fast
Until next time…
Think, Believe, Act, Adjust, Never Give up
Dakota
Today’s Mantra: Give what you think you most lack.
