Many people often sweat and pant when running or climbing a mountain, but people are seldom panting when practicing Tai Ji. They may sweat a lot after 20 minutes but are never are short of breath. Why is that? It has a lot to do with the nature of Tai Ji Quan.
Movements in Tai Ji Quan are manifestations of the ‘Yin’ and ‘Yang’ concepts. They are movements of dynamic (Yang) and static (Yin); opening (Yang) and closing (Yin); substantial (Yang) and unsubstantial (Yin) in Tai Ji Quan. Chinese medicine believes that too much Yang in one’s body can cause a sore throat or canker, whereas too much Yin may cause fatigue or night sweats. Tai Ji Quan forms tend to balance our body’s Yin and Yang by activating self-regulating and self-recovery mechanisms. When practicing Tai Ji, practitioners need to be focused and mindful, with slow movements. This is one reason that after practicing a few sets of Tai Ji Quan routines, practitioners often feel relaxed and full of energy.
According to Chinese medicine, meridians provide passages for the flow of energy and blood in our bodies. Meridians spread through our entire body, connect to every organ, and nourish the body. Tai Ji forms were designed on the foundation of meridian science which helps to unblock the meridians. When practicing Tai Ji forms, practitioners should walk like a cat and use force like pulling a silk string. There are many curved and spiral movements in Tai Ji Quan. Quite often, performing one movement requires the coordination of the entire body.
Tai Ji emphasizes looseness and quietness, combines practicing the mind and body, and coordinates movement and respiration. Since the movements are slow, practitioners may sweat a lot, but never pant.