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Stress Relief with Tai Chi

Submitted by everyadmin on Mon, 04/30/2012 - 16:25

Using Tai Chi to Relieve Stress

– interviewed by Instructor Lis

Stress management has always been an issue for Brad. As far back as his teenage years, he sought ways of dealing with it. He looked to different meditation techniques for solutions and tried to find a Tai Chi class he could join. He has also had a longterm interest in martial arts. When he discovered the Academy’s classes in 1995, he was learning karate and thought the two would complement each other.

He attended his first Tai Chi class in Term 4, 1995. In the early days, his work as a geologist took him away into the bush, sometimes for months. However, he always kept up his practice and always resumed classes on his return to Canberra. At the time of joining, he had constant stress-related health issues — mostly fatigue and general anxiety — so the Qigong training was the aspect he was, and still is, most interested in.

“I’ve done Brett’s Hun Yuan Qigong course twice, Fei Wang’s Taoist Qigong course three times and Lama Choedak’s Calm Abiding Meditation Course twice. They’ve all helped a lot. I’m much more relaxed, flexible, fitter and healthier now than I was in my twenties.
I stopped karate a long time ago, but I also tried the Academy’s Martial Arts classes. It’s hard training and I don’t like the contact element of that type of training as I grow older. I like the Push Hands, but you need someone to practise with.”

Brad practises his Tai Chi every morning. Even though he knows his shoulders are still tense and he needs to relax, even more, he feels the training has strengthened the ligaments and tendons in his joints.

“When I take my huskies – sledge dogs – running, sometimes I’ll bend my ankle on the rough terrain. I haven’t had a serious injury, just a bruise or some soreness for a few days. I think otherwise I could have twisted or even broken an ankle on occasion.”

Brad learned the traditional Yang Style when he started with the Academy but was interested to learn the Hun Yuan system when we changed in 2003.

“It was different. I never had trouble with co-ordination in the Yang style, but the Hun Yuan made me use my body differently. At first, it was quite difficult to get the hang of. I was too tense. I find now if I sit a bit lower, it works my legs as much as the other one did and in some ways more so. Because some movements don’t require a weight shift, the muscles of the leg carrying weight can get quite sore if you work at a lower level. The basic principles are still the same across the forms.”

Relaxation is still Brad’s biggest challenge. He knows he’s a tense person prone to stress and is conscious of seeking out ways to relieve his tension. He has found that the calmness and gentleness of his Tai Chi practice help to overcome stress both mentally and physically.

“I enjoy the classes. I’ve been to just about every venue and learned from every instructor, I think. I always come away from the lessons feeling calm and open. Even though I practise every day at home, I do far more of everything in class. I should try to get to more than one class per week.”

(This is an actual interview, but the name has been changed for reasons of privacy.)

article_type: 

  • interview

Interviews

Finding His Passion - Brett
Self Development - Chris
My Tai Chi Journey - Lis

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China trip

Managing Parkinson's
My Tai Chi Journey - Lis
Recovery from Accident
Training Saved the Day
Wu Dao Gong - Fei Wang
Tai Chi & Yang Mian
Tai Chi & Wu Dao Gong
Restore Health
Engages the Mind
Better Coordination and Focus Leads to Better Daily Life Skills
Enhances My Life & Work
Throwing off Stress
Training - I Know Myself
Great Rewards
Stress Relief with Tai Chi
Helps to Keep Me Young
A Fresh Outlook on Life
Maintaining a Balance
Finding His Passion - Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
Path of Self Development - Chris
Hun Yuan Qigong - the Key to Developing Internal Energy
Silk Reeling Gong - the Key to Improving Your Tai Chi Form
Reflections on the Tai Chi & Meditation Retreat, April 2016
Moving with Awareness Enhances Vitality
What is the Difference between Fancy Forms and Gong Fu?
An Insight from Chen Xiang
Training with Chen Xiang
Interview with Feng Xiu Qian
What is the Purpose of Practising Tai Chi Slowly?
The Tao of Success in Life
Energy for Life
Find Better Health through a Calm Mind
Tai Chi as Calligraphy
The Wisdom of Internal Arts
Training in Wu Dao Gong, Natural Style Kung Fu
Qigong: the Art of Living Well in Body, Mind and Spirit
So, Why Should You Practise?
Transforming the Body from Weakness to Strength
Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with Tai Chi and Martial Arts Demonstrations
How Tai Chi and Wu Dao Gong improve your Sporting Performance
China Trip - 2017 Highlights
China Trip - 2013 Highlights
China Trip - 2011 Highlights
China Trip - 2009 Highlights
China Trip - 2007 Highlights
China Trip - 2006 Highlights
China Trip - 2005 Highlights
China Trip - 2004 Highlights
China Trip - 2003 Highlights

 

 

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