I’ve been so interested in the effects of the internal martial arts on the physical body that I have neglected to pay much attention to the FAR interior – the mind! With regards to the benefits for the mind, the google results were too numerous to mention. There were quite a few articles on reducing depression – especially in older adults. Anxiety, likewise, yielded a plethora of results. It begs to me the question: why aren’t more people increasing their physical activity, rather than solely relying on medication? The number of mental challenges are on the rise in this rat race of a world. People are more stressed out than they have EVER been. Exercise of any form is invigorating to the mind-body-spirit. Currently studying the 7-Fold Path of Peace from the Living Centre in London, ON (Canada), I have just finished Theme I: Peace With the Body. ALL physical movement is embraced by the body, and in turn, clarifying to the mind. The internal martial arts fall into theme I and theme II: Peace With the Mind. The mind is, I believe, the starting point. With a calm mind, anything and everything is possible!

Rabbits trails are a fascinating thing! In considering how it’s possible to alter the inner structure of the body, google brought me to a wikipedia page. The internal martial arts change the muscles, tendons, and marrow of the body. The Yijin Jing, literally “Muscle/Tendon Change” is a Qigong manual containing a series of exercises, coordinated with specific breathing and mental concentration, said to enhance physical health dramatically when practiced consistently. In Chinese yi means change, jin means “tendons and sinews”, while jing means “methods”. This is a rather intense form of exercise that aims at strengthening the muscles and tendons, so promoting strength and flexibility, speed and stamina, balance and coordination of the body. Amazon is tempting me with another book purchase… the body is a truly fascinating piece of biology!

I'm Still Standing

Standing. Sitting. Standing. Sitting. I just allow my body to do what it can and I accept its limitations. This is what I love about Tai Chi. It’s not a competition – it’s an experiment to see how good I can make my body feel. When the physical body is challenged, the most important thing to remember is to NEVER STOP MOVING! Movement is the life-force of the body, its dance of joy. I might not be on a dance floor, but my body will never stop moving to the music.