Lesson 1

"Don't Use Force, Luke"

- Using the mind and not force.




On of the most important rules of tai chi the one stating that one should use the mind and not force. This rule is also one of the least observed. One of the reasons for this is that few tai chi students have been taught to believe that it is actually possible.

Another reason is that few tai chi teachers spend the time and effort to give the students an idea of what "using the mind and not force" feels like.
Once the student has experienced the sensation, it becomes possible to seek that feeling in the solo practice of the tai chi forms and standing meditation. This feeling can then be applied to two person exercises such as tuishou and sanshou.

When one finally gets to feel just how relaxed can be while still maintaining proper structure and alignment, a whole new world opens up.