Tai chi chuan (taijiquan) is a very deep practice of self-development, contemplation, meditation and physical technique.
I remember stealing glances at my teacher's solo early morning practice while apprenticing at his school.
His practice was so unlike the way I've seen others practice.
For example, he would meditate first, light incense, and bow in respect before a scroll of Zhang San Feng, the legendary patriarch of tai chi chuan.
He would quietly mutter some words in his native Chinese, then sit in full lotus, and meditate some more.
When the time seemed right, he would arise and practice tai chi.
In practice, he often looked like a puma stalking its prey; eyes alert, posture poised, structure perfect.
Suddenly he would leap into the next move, and then slightly rock back and forth in the stance to test its "peng" and rootedness.
He would stop and redo certain moves and play around with the angles.
This was not at all like watching the humdrum slow but done-the-same-way-all-the-time type of tai chi practice that is so predominant.
This was the way of the master.
One can only speculate what marvelous imagery and wisdom was coursing through his brain when he practiced like this each magical morning.
After practice he would glow with a generous but quiet smile, eyes sparkling with energy and cheeks flush with the exuberant flow of life force the Chinese call "qi.
" He was ready to face the day and everything it brought.
He would sometimes follow his practice with a little more light breakfast food or short nap.
Other times he made notes or worked on writing an article.
Then he attended to all his chores in perfect health, peace and harmony.
You too, can make every instance of your tai chi practice just as splendid.
Imagine how much your mind and energy would grow! Imagine how positively this would affect your health! Envision the abundance of energy and positive mood you would possess! Make a little "ritual" of your practice.
Would it help you to don a favorite tai chi uniform? Play some special music? Play an instrument or sing? Burn a little incense of diffuse essential oils? If you follow a particular faith, precede your practice with a reading, prayer or meditation.
Atheists can find some positive reading passages or self-hypnosis exercise just as well.
In your mind's eye, see and feel how your tai chi will change your body and mental energy for the better; and how as a result, your quality of life will improve by leaps and bounds.
Make it a point to visualize this before you practice.
When you are ready, make sure to embody the tai chi principles that you do know, as deeply and potently as possible.
Keep reinstating "hanxiong" with a happy "sigh of relief.
" Try to slow your breathing down.
As you stretch each limb into position, visualize and feel that your qi is stretching into every finger, toe, and pore of your skin.
Can you be as focused as a cat that is mousing? Can you feel each posture's stillness as mighty and immovable as a mountain? Can you feel the movement of each posture like the powerful current of a river or ocean wave? Like a child at play, convince yourself that you really are doing and feeling these things.
Do you understand and appreciate that your tai chi is like poetry of movement? What words would this magnificent piece of poetry speak? Feel its parsimony in expressing energy.
Feel its deep message.
Can you visualize all the arcs, lines and spirals your body invisibly traces in space? You are moving like the brushstrokes born from the hand of a master Chinese calligrapher.
Sharpen your mental energy back to its state as when you were a child - full of imagination and play.
A simple toy or a cardboard box could keep you joyously engaged for hour when you were a kid.
Bring this lost part of you back to your tai chi.
It will rejuvenate your mind and bring faraway realms into your everyday life.
Make a game or experiential "act" out of everything you practice, being certain to fill it with nothing but positive thoughts and empowering imagery.
Now it's your turn.
What can you do to make your practice special?