Tai Chi
I first started taking tai chi in 2000 while recovering from an illness. I was on the recuperating side of the Epstein-Barr virus, and hadn't been allowed to exercise for about six months for fear of reactivation. When I noticed that Tai Chi classes were offered at my gym, I asked my doctor, and he gave me the go ahead.
My first year of Tai Chi was a huge part of my life. With the enforced inactivity, I had gained a lot of weight, and was pretty depressed. Just to be active at all was a very positive experience, but my teacher made it even more so. Gently, slowly, she helped me understand the nature of my movement and posture, always knowing when she could ask for more, and when I was at my limit. For the first month, when she would gently correct my postures, showing me where I strained or twisted myself, tears of gratitude would come to my eyes. While I learned slow set that year, I regained my body confidence and stamina, and knew I had found a life-long activity. I was so happy to be released for this exercise that I practiced every day, a good habit to form, it turns out.
The form I learned is the Yang Style Long Form, and when I was about two thirds of the way through third set, I found T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom by Linda Myoki Lehrhaupt during a beach vacation. What a wonderful book! An ordained Zen priest, her discussions about the nature of practice and dedication opened my eyes to the internal in my own form. It also led me to ask my teacher about chi gong practice, which she was happy to introduce me to when the time was right.
From there, a fellow student who practices several of the martial arts suggested T'ai Chi Classics by Waysun Liao, another fundamental text. I still meditate on these translations.
Today, I have been guided through fast set, Family fast set and Tiger Mountain chi kung, and have started down the long road that is the practice of push hands, sanchou and applications. I have also just returned from my first camp in Big Bear, California, which was an incredible experience, I know I will be returning every year I am able. I continue to learn more about myself every day, which is still how often I practice.
If you are thinking about trying Tai Chi, all I can offer are the words an elderly friend gave me. "Don't wait to get started, go now! Just don't wait." Words to live by.