Have you ever sat in a coffee shop window or on a park bench or in the mall and watched people walking past? They are lost in their own little worlds, hurrying around, doing important stuff. Spot the difference between the way in which kids move and adults, young people and seniors. There are some big variations.
Feeling uncomfortable
Watch the way they move, walk, the way they carry their bags etc. As you practice Tai Chi more and more, you will find your balance, co-ordination and timing improving. As you observe people who are uncoordinated and off balance as they walk, you might just find that your body reacts to this and you feel uncomfortable too. It’s a strange sensation but, one which lets you know just how far you have come.
Visual copy cat
You can use this in class. Study your teacher, the way they perform a move, their whole body and then their legs, torso, arms and finally the feet, hands and head. Now when you come to do the same move, keep that picture in your head and try to be that person. You can play this game with any Tai Chi moves. In fact, you don’t actually have to get up and do the move. Close your eyes, sit quietly and imagine yourself doing the moves. Now swap and see your teacher doing the same moves. Keep switching back and forth until you can see yourself performing the moves in the same way as your teacher. Now get up and do it and see what happens!
Lost in thoughts
Also, observe how these people really are ‘lost’ in their own thoughts, they are almost unaware of the world round them. We all posses this level of concentration, absorption and the ability to ‘switch off’ as it were, from reality. You already do this, and indeed, in time you will do so deliberately, as you perform your Tai Chi form. Your senses will turn inwards, you will listen for the feed back from your body which will let you know what you need to do and how to adjust so that you become better balanced, coordinated and to improve your timing.
So, sit back, relax and enjoy the floor show while you’re out and about. You are learning without even realizing it!
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