What can we learn from KungFu ?

Everyone can learn something from the practice of kung fu though I’ll specifically speak about tai chi. What I love about tai chi is that it calms me. I feel centered after I practice. It’s as if I’ve exhaled all the problems of the day. It helps that tai chi is usually performed in beautiful nature areas as well, although that is certainly not a requirement. Tai chi is even easy to do at home and the amazing thing is that it is for all ages whether you are 5 or 85, male or female!

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The movements in tai chi tend to be very slow and it’s all about balance. You have to create stances and steps where you are forced to balance yourself or you cannot accomplish the next move. It is also about breathing which is a big part of balance. You are taught when you inhale and when you exhale. Deep breathing is long considered a way to clean the toxins from your lungs if done properly. 
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I was surprised when I learned that tai chi is good for many illnesses like arthritis. Tai chi has been found to improve practitioners’ balance, leg strength, cardiovascular endurance, pulse rate, muscular flexibility, immune system response, sleep habits, happiness, sense of self-worth, and ability to concentrate and multitask during cognitive tests (New York Times). I began searching for a tai chi class when I hurt my back at work. I needed to something to strengthen it. Tai helped my back and it also helped my knees which were ruined from many years of salsa dancing on cheap floors. 

The tough part I think as an American is not pushing yourself. American society encourages us to push limits, to achieve more than you think you are able. Work hard, play hard. I suspect some of the martial arts support that idea as well. I always feel that I can do more. But tai chi is the opposite. You have to be patient. The real challenges are consistency, perseverance and commitment. It’s something many of us could learn a lot from.