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Tai Chi Classroom
Breathing
Natural breathing and its coordination with movements
Breathing should be deep and even. A beginner should
breathe in a natural way, and only when he is skilful
enough in performing the movements should he try
to coordinate his breathing with the movements in
a way that suits him best. This way of breathing
may be called "regulated breathing." Tai
Chi movements are extremely varied. Generally speaking,
when a movement turns from "solid" to
"empty," it is performed with light, well-contained
strength and air, should be inhaled in coordination
with the expansion of the chest. On the other hand,
when a movement turns from "empty" to
"solid," it is performed with firm and
substantial effort and air should be exhaled in
coordination with the contraction of the chest.
Thus when a movement is winding up to final position,
which means a change from an "empty" to
a "solid" state, you should relax your
chest, contract your rib cage and sink your breath
down to the abdomen so as to make your exertion
more steady and solid. Such coordination between
breathing and exertion of strength conforms to the
physiological needs of the performer, and meets
the requirements in Wu-Shu exercises (martial art).
"Qi" (breathing) should be guided by "Yi"
(consciousness) while "Shen" (body) should
be guided by "Qi," and that "Qi"
and "Li" (strength) should be integrated.
However, the method of regulated breathing should
not be used unconditionally because Tai Chi exercises
are not arranged according to the rhythm of breathing.
In fact, the ways of breathing vary not only from
routine to routine but also from person to person.
Regulated breathing can be used only with certain
key movements which clearly involve the expansion
and contraction of the chest, whereas in the case
of some transitional movements or where regulated
breathing is difficult to apply. One should use
natural breathing or, as a subsidiary measure, shorten
one's breath for a while before adjusting them to
the movements. Do not try to enforce a rigidly set
pattern of breathing for everyone.
Those who are sick or have weak constitutions,
in particular, should keep their breathing natural
when practicing Tai Chi since any attempt at forced
breathing is liable to bring harm to their health.
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