Guide to Use the Tai Chi for Beginners DVD

Disclaimer: Persons involved in the writing of this article will not be held responsible in any way whatsoever for any injury or consequence that may arise as a result of following the instructions given in this article. Readers are advised to work with their health professionals before commencing these activities. Readers engaged in activities described in this article do so at their own risk.

NB: After you have done this program, the next step would be the 24 Forms DVD, the book “Tai Chi for Beginners and the 24 Forms” would be very useful for progression.

Introduction:

Tai Chi for Beginners is based on the Six Easy Steps. These steps can be used by tai chi instructors as a class format. Follow the directions from the inside of your DVD cover or Page 8 of the handbook. Set aside a one-hour period at the same time and same day each week as though you are going to a class for your weekly lesson. Also schedule a half hour practice time most days.

For learners please use the suggested lesson plan from the handbook. If you can only do a half hour lesson because of a time restraint or physical disability, then do one lesson in two sessions. If you find the lesson covers too much material for you, then do them with as many sessions as is comfortable for you. If you feel the lessons are too easy, try to refrain from learning faster than suggested. It’s not how fast you learn tai chi that matters. What counts is gaining health benefits and feeling the depth of tai chi. Actually, tai chi works better when a person progresses slowly. Be patient and take your time to learn and practice. Once you remember the movements, you can improve your posture, speed and quality of movement. Don’t advance to the next lesson until you’re proficient.

If you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing the forms exactly as shown on the DVD, you can use visualization to keep progressing. The general rule: Move to what is well within your comfort zone and visualize whatever you can’t do.

You can also adjust your level of exertion by not bending your knees too deeply, by using less internal force and lessening the length of time for practice. Do follow a routine to practice tai chi daily, this will help you adhere to regular practice. The best way to benefit and enjoy tai chi is to practice regularly. Whenever you feel you could be over-exerting yourself, use visualization to replace physical practice and check with your health professional at any time.

Let us start:

Congratulations! You’ve come this far. It gets more fun as you go.

1. Start with the introduction. It explains what tai chi is and suggests general precautions. Take care to follow the precautions.
2. Before you start, read “What is Tai Chi?” in the handbook.
3. Follow the lesson plan in “How to Use This Book” and adjust if necessary.
4. After the first six lessons, stop for one of two weeks. Concentrate on revising what you’ve learned so far. When you feel you’re proficient, move to “Step Six” at 68 minutes from the beginning of the DVD. Always start your lesson and practice by warming up and end with cooling down exercises. Learn as much as is comfortable for you. Then revise and practice for one or two weeks before progressing to the new movements.
5. When you reach the end of the recording, you can practice with Dr Lam by following him as he demonstrates the whole set with his back to you.
6. Practice this set for several weeks. Then read the essential principles below and follow my suggestions.

ESSENTIAL TAI CHI PRINCIPLES

Tai chi contains essential principles, all of which are fundamental and similar in the different styles. When you concentrate on the principles, you speed up your progress and improve, no matter what style you do. Don’t worry about the minor details. Focus your practise on these principles. In my workshops and videos, I mention these essential principles. Here, I’ve converted them into simple, easy to understand terms.

Movement:
1. Make your movements slow, even, and continuous, maintaining the same speed throughout. In other words, control your movements.

2. Move as though there is a gentle resistance. Imagine that the air around you is dense and you have to move against this dense air. This will help you cultivate your inner force.

Body:
3. Be aware of your weight transference. First, centre yourself, then control your balance, keeping your body alignments, and when you move backwards, forwards or sideways, touch down first, then gradually and consciously transfer your weight forward or backward.

4. Body Alignments. Be sure you keep your body in an upright position.

Internal:
5. Loosening the joints. It is important to do the tai chi movements in a relaxed manner but relaxation in this case doesn’t mean that your muscles go floppy. You should be stretching, loosening. Try consciously and gently to stretch every joint from within, almost like an internal expansion of the joints.

6. Mental Focus. Be sure not to become distracted from what you’re doing. Focus on your movements so that your internal and external are well integrated.

Try to work on one principle at a time for several sessions until you feel proficient with it. Then choose another principle to practice with the moves you’ve learned so far in the Basic Set. Keep practicing all the principles with the movements you know before moving on to the next lesson.

7. Read “What’s Next?” in the handbook. Try to integrate each stage into your forms. Practice that stage for several weeks before moving on to the next.

8. When you feel proficient with the Tai Chi for Beginners set, you can continue to practice it and improve your level of tai chi through integrating the essential principles. Regular practice will bring you enjoyment and better health.

9. To continue your progression, consider finding a teacher with whom you “click.” Or you might attend one of Dr Lam’s workshops. Also, think of moving on to the “24 Forms” instructional DVD.

A few points to consider:

Review the tai chi principles regularly. As you progress in tai chi, they will take on a somewhat different meaning. Tai chi’s immense depth comes from its essential principles.

You will find that the fundamental principles in tai chi are similar in most tai chi texts and might appear more simple than they are. To appreciate their depth, you must practice. Through practice, you can learn and enjoy the different layers of tai chi’s inner meanings. By now, you might need a suitable instructor to progress further and to help interpret these principles. Read my book Overcoming Arthritis, published by Dorley Kindersley, on how to find a good tai chi teacher. Or read the article on this topic in the Article section of my website.

Best wishes for a healthier and better quality of life. Enjoy the journey.