Once, the perfect practice settings where really important for me. I wanted everything to be just right and calm. I even had a small empty room in my apartment that was dedicated only to practicing Qi Gong, Taijiquan and meditation!
And obviously, that was really a wonderful place. Because it was easy to get into a relaxed state of mind in that empty room. Nothing to distract my monkey mind.
However, this room also felt a little bit “isolated”. That perfect practice room was not the real world. It was a sanctuary, true. And the vibes where great in there!
But it felt somehow disconnected.
And I feel the big benefits of Taijiquan and Qi Gong come when I integrate the practice into my real life. When I can apply the principles not only in an empty room, but when they become a part of me. A part of my everyday life. When they are just with me all the time and I use them casually. Like my favorite dress or that tea cup I bought years ago.
There is no need to lock the practice away. There is no need to create a special place for it. I noticed that the more I let my practice leap into my everyday life, the more I benefit from it.
Because, as a mother of two in a lively city, I am not a hermit in the mountains. My life is more chaotic, because I choose it that way. And right in that hurry-scurry, that is exactly where I need to practice.
For example, not long ago, I moved with my familiy to a new apartment. And practicing in my living room, even when it was still full with all the boxes, helped me to calm down. To get into a relaxed state even with all the chaos around me.
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And it’s not only important for my practice, but also for my everyday life. After doing my Qi Gong exercises or Taijiquan forms, somehow the relaxed state spills into my actions. Into my reactions. Into my mood.
Practicing Qi Gong and Taijiquan is a body-mind-soul practice. It is spiritual and maybe even holy. But I don’t think that the goal is that we all become hermits and live in a mininalistic cave in the mountains.
That is the path for some of us. And I totally get the appeal it has, I also enjoy retreats and spending time in nature with the arts.
But I am also happy with my life. And I am happy that Qi Gong and Taijiquan play such a big part in it. And that I can seaminglessly fit it into my family chaos.
So I tell you and I tell myself, practice anywhere! Because these arts are so wonderful, you will always benefit from them. No matter if you practice in a hermit cave, an empty studio, at a lovely creek or in the middle of the street – PRACTICE ANYWHERE!
Happy Qi!
Angelika