About Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an ancient form of moving meditation that has its
origins in Chinese martial arts. The Chinese believe in the concept
of 'chi', a vital force that animates the body.
 One
goal of Tai Chi is to increase chi energy and learn to move it
within the body. Another goal of Tai Chi is to create a calm and
tranquil mind that is focused on the precise execution of the
exercises. Learning to do Tai Chi exercises correctly provides a
practical way to learn about such things as balance, alignment,
fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, and the origin of
movement from the body's vital center. The practice of Tai Chi
contributes to a rider's understanding of how to develop and manage
forward energy in the horse (the horse's chi) through the improved
use of one's body in riding.
To learn Tai Chi, one first starts to practice the "tai
chi principles" of breathing, relaxation, balance, rooting,
concentration, and coordination. From there, the students learn
relaxed energy flow through the movement principles of even &
slow and empty & full. |
BALANCEDRIDER
Tai Chi™ teaches the tai chi principles in classes
customized to the needs of riders. In un-mounted lessons, classes
first focus on the fundamental principles that are common to both
tai chi and riding: breathing/relaxation, and balance/rooting. We
then add in simple moving qigong exercises to allow riders to
practice moving while breathing regularly and remaining in balanced.
Classes learn a pattern of tai chi movements, known as a "form"
to allow riders to practice the principles of coordination/
concentration.
Finally, class participants work with partners in the tai chi
activity of "push hands" to start learning how to sense
the movement of chi energy in another being and how to facilitate
the exchange of chi energy with another being.
As riders begin to maintain straightness and balance while
practicing tai chi on the ground, periodic mounted sessions are
incorporated, allowing riders to practice tai chi principles on
horseback.
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