| Once in a while, I get really bored with my workouts. | | | | balance. |
| You know, after a while it gets to be the same old, | | | | Tai Chi is based on using the whole body, even the |
| same old stuff. It is always weights or cardio machines | | | | inner strength of the mind and breath, all together as |
| or the same stuff over and over again. I have worked | | | | one unit. Think of it as standing yoga or a combination |
| out for years and sometimes it is nice to have | | | | of that and ballet. Maybe it seems silly for a tough guy |
| something different to sink your teeth into when you | | | | like me to say I do something similar to ballet, but I tell |
| go to the gym. Or it is also nice to have something fun | | | | you, it is not only relaxing but challenging as well. Some |
| and invigorating to do at home. Something that gets | | | | people call it moving meditation. Because that is what |
| you started off on the right foot in the morning. | | | | you are doing. You are moving your hands and arms |
| I recently found something that fits that criteria and it is | | | | and legs together, but you are relaxing your mind at |
| called Tai Chi. You may have heard of it. It has been | | | | the same time to allow deep meditation. |
| around for centuries. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art | | | | Tai Chi patterns are easy to learn and hard to master. |
| but different from regular sparring types of kung fu. | | | | They are very flowing and smooth and develop the |
| Some people may call it a soft style of martial arts | | | | internal flow or Chi or your body and soul. It was tough |
| and I think they have a point because you can't really | | | | for me at first, doing all those weird poses and |
| whack a guy with Tai Chi. But that doesn't matter | | | | repetitive moves, but it got easier and much more fun |
| because the point of this exercise is to help a person | | | | once I got the hang of it. I knew I had to be bad before |
| relax and to inner reflect, if you will. How to do Tai Chi | | | | I good be good. |
| correctly and effectively is a simple matter of finding | | | | There are a wide range of videos out there to help |
| the right instructor. | | | | you get started and I tried quite a few before I got |
| You see, Tai Chi is all about finding the right balance | | | | hooked on one instructor that really blew me away. |
| within yourself, your "Chi" or spiritual center. Most | | | | You have to find someone that knows what they are |
| people do not do Tai Chi for any martial arts benefit. I | | | | doing and can really relate to you what Tai Chi is all |
| know I did not start it for that reason. I did it to have | | | | about. |
| another form of exercise in place of regular boring | | | | Here is what really struck me...it's something I can do |
| stuff I was sick of. The thing is, I discovered that it | | | | for my health for the rest of my life. |
| really does help you find peace and improve your | | | | |