h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I find all these three things very useful for relaxation.

Tai Chi, an internal martial art, requires relaxation in order to be effective even in a non-martial situation (i.e. when you're studying it simply for health benefits), therefore in order to learn Tai Chi properly I have had to learn how to relax - something I'm sure many people have found isn't really all that easy. Tai Chi itself isn't really a relaxation system though, it's more something to do after you're relaxed, to relax you further and calm the mind, as it is a form of meditation if done in the right way.

Chi Kung is energy and breathing exercises, and because of the repetitive nature of Chi Kung exercises, they can be great for relaxation. Unfortunately, if you don't relax while doing them, they start to hurt a lot sooner than they should...

So then we come to meditation, which I'm sure people are familiar with. It's simple and can be extremely effective, and is very, very useful for calming the mind more than the body - which is particularly good when dealing with exams, stressful working environments and so forth.

As to how to meditate - well, I've seen several different ways described and I'm not really sure what I do, so I'll leave it to someone else to describe if they wish - unless, that is, everyone already knows!

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You could always check out my wonderful Edited Entry on Tai Chi at...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A635933

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Tai Chi cannot easily be "dipped into". The relaxation it requires is a skill to be mastered, not a quick fix like a massage. Once the skill has been mastered, it can be applied whenever and wherever. The Tai Chi movements and postures are learning aids, nothing more.

Yes, I know about that one, having commented on it when it was on the front page. And no, it can't be dipped into, but it's well worth the effort of learning.

Meditation is really like Tai Chi in that to do it well, you have to know what you are doing. Considering myself a semi-Buddhist, that is, I study Buddhism, which is melded in with my Roman Catholic upbringing, I will usually light a few candles, maybe some incense(if i feel like it) and absolute silence. Unless you are a gymnast, don't try the full lotus position. I find that just focusing on your breathing, without counting is invaluable. Of course, it takes time. For a more in-depth explanation, you can find it on some site.

Mmm, that works quite well I find

Have to have incense you like though.

Just for those who don't feel like going out and buying incense and the like(such as me), do what I do. There are several websites that sell this type of, umm, stuff. I personally prefer TibetanSpirit.com and Dharmashop.com as well. Both sites offer many different types of incense from Tibet, India and Japan. I tend to use the Tibetan Sandalwood and Jasmine from TibetanSpirit.com along with a holder i got there. Both sites offer holders as well. Dharmashop.com also affers a variety of candles and both sites have other accesories for whatever. If you don't like these sites, remember, there are many others that have the same products. Enjoy


-Craig

My Tai Chi instructor told us from the beginning it was a relaxing exercies, Walking Meditation. We didn't believe it at first. All our concentration had to be on what move was next. Once you learn the 108 Great Moves, meditation can begin. The moves flow one into the next, you suddenly discover you're breathing calms. You're very aware of your limbs and what they are doing, in everything you do, not just in the set. Colours tipped me off that I was progressing. I suddenly became aware of all the colours around me, noticing minute detail of my surroundings I hadn't noticed before. Warm ups then 2 sets, and the world can bring on what it may, I'm ready for it!

Hmm, I learned Tai Chi, too. But all I felt were tired muscles in my shoulders and arms. Maybe I just didn't stick to it long enough.

For me martial arts worked. It's a great way to get a feeling for your body and it's strenuous enough to leave you with that warm and heavy feeling afterwards.

Methos

Yeah, takes a while to really get benefit from Tai Chi... nothing should ache, for a while at least, if you're suitably relaxed, and that time will of course increase with further practice.

If you find you ache after a session of Tai Chi, do the warm up exercises longer. Could be your muscles just weren't ready for the set. Or, don't stretch quite so much till you get used to it. Even with minimal stretching, you get some benefit - in balance and co-ordination. We were always told to just take it as far as you were able, don't put undue stress on your muscles.

I guess, it was more because my body was used to move fast and with more power. For me Tai Chi seemed like holding your arms at shoulder level for way too long. Like I said, I was just too impatient for really working on it.

Methos

Hmm... not really the right attitude! Patience is extremely valuable with Tai Chi.

I know, I know - but impatience is like my second name. Probably me and Tai Chi, we just didn't fit.

Methos

It's not for everyone - I've observed this at Uni, we get a lot of people come and try it and then vanish again. One guy was so impatient he just walked out halfway through the session. Very rude as well!

God, that was really rude of him. I'm not one for that respect your master thing but i'm all for respect people. Really!

And I'm not that impatient. I probably would have kept learning Tai Chi but my teacher stopped teaching it so that was that.

Methos

Hmm, that would make it kind of hard to keep learning.

Yep.

So, how long do you do Tai Chi then? Obviously you are more patient than me at least...

Methos

Oh, I guess about two and a half years