Mindfulness Based Tai Chi for Relaxation

This modal aims to induce a state of relaxation in the practitioner. It has already been reasonably well documented how tai chi is beneficial to one’s health, how it can improve circulation and reduce the risk of falls as well as other physical benefits. What I feel has been less well investigated is how Tai Chi can be based on mindfulness in such a way that awareness of the body, mind and environment are just as essential as performing the movements themselves. Rather than simply going through the motions, one brings mindful attention to the fore. This has a soporific effect on the practitioner and results in relaxation, reduced stress and reduced anxiety together with a greater sense of wellbeing, perspective and being grounded.

Through repeating gentle movements which are largely within one’s natural range of movement one is able to relax the body and mind. Seated modifications are available to make this practice as widely accessible as possible. The intended outcome is not the ability to perform accurate movements that would win a competition but rather to induce a state of mind that is at once totally alert and aware yet utterly tranquil and relaxed.

I was once told by a monastic in Taiwan that “relaxation of the body is the absence of tension; relaxation of the mind is the absence of wondering thoughts”. Teachers of internal martial arts are forever instructing students to relax. Through bringing mindful attention to repeated movements one is able to recognise where tension is being held in the body and is able then to gently release this tension by letting go of any unnecessary tightness. Of course, during the movements it is necessary to contract muscles but this is different from the tension that can be carried within the body. Wondering thoughts are streams of thoughts that one has no control over. Such thoughts are generally unproductive and can even lead one into dark places. The Buddha said that not even one’s enemy can harm one as much one’s own untrained mind. It is important to understand that this does not mean that we should try to make our minds go blank but rather direct mindfulness to thoughts. These directed thoughts can be deployed in any way we should wish. Through Mindfulness Based Tai Chi for Relaxation

one can create more clarity in the mind and avoid negative thinking. Negative thoughts may still arise but mindfulness disempowers them and they are not taken to be a true reflection of things as they are. The practitioner is also able to release emotional blockages through mindful awareness and relaxation.