What are the mental aspects of Tai Chi?
A. Tai Chi, or Taiji, is known as meditation in motion and is closely related to Qi Gong. Both meditation and certain types of Qi Gong follow a “top-down” approach, with the mind initiating the meditative state or the mind initiating the Qi flow. Tai Chi follows more of a “bottom up” approach. It is the movement with the Internal Discipline that plays an important role in influencing the mental state of the practitioner. In order to perform the internal movements, the beginner must focus intensely inward trying to communicate with the long neglected nervous system in the torso. When the student becomes a proficient practitioner, playing the form becomes subconscious without the need to think. The mind is clear, except for the enjoyable sensation of internal energy flowing and stretching at the yin and yang junction. It is important to learn the Tai Chi form rigorously, so this sensation can circulate continuously in the body without break. Any fault in the form will break the continuit
