Proper Tai Chi Movements
One of the most common problems that many people seem to have when they first begin practicing Tai Chi is that it can be difficult for them to ascertain whether the individual movements are performed correctly or not. It is not unusual for some beginners to discover that there are some styles or forms that are particularly difficult for them to master.
In order to obtain the most and to ensure that the movements are correct and proper, it is essential for some very basic principles to first be understood.
1. The head should always be in live with the spinal column throughout all of the movements. The head should never move up and down. If you keep the head in line with the spinal column, it makes it possible for the muscles in the next to be relaxed.
2. The shoulders should never be hunched. The arms should not be fully straightened out when extended. When the arms are retracted, the elbows should remain near the body and should not jut out at various angles. It is essential for the shoulders and arms to remain relaxed in order for smooth motion to occur. Otherwise, movements will become awkward and stiff.
3. As you relax the body, make sure that the chest does not become stiff. If you keep the chest relaxed, it is possible for breathing to become natural and deep.
4. Make sure the waist is not tense or stiff. If it is, you will likely find it hard to move. As a result, coordination will be affected and it will become increasingly difficult for power to be transmitted from the waist to the hands and arms. Also, the bottom portion of the body will naturally tend to jut outward if the waist is still. This may cause the body to become unstable. The waist must be relaxed. This is an essential principle.
5. Most of the postures that will be used will require the majority of the weight to rest on one leg. This makes it easier to move the other leg when it is necessary to change posture or to shift weight from one leg to the other.