Recently I’ve seen a picture about how we could be like in Virtual Reality, and I cannot get that picture out of my head. I wondered how I could prepare myself and my family (especially my two young kids) for this new technology. How we could prepare for coping with Virtual Reality.
And I think, that Taijiquan will be of great help coping with Virtual Reality (VR). Because what will happen when VR really kicks into our everyday life:
- people will have less physical contact with other people
- they will spend even more time at home
- for the majority, “consuming” will take more time than actually producing (because in the long run most of production and work will be covered by machines and artificial intelligence)
- even when driving a car, it will drive itself and we will just sit there
- obesity and diabetes will become even bigger issues (depending on what kind of food we’ll consume)
So how is Taijiquan a solution to all of that? Why not Yoga or Qi Gong or meditation?
Well, I think that all moving arts will benefit us in coping with VR. But I think that Taijiquan has one really big advantage: it needs to be taught from person to person, meeting physically.
Because someone needs to correct you. Ok, that is necessary for Yoga and Qi Gong, too. But for Taijiquan, you also need tests. Someone actually needs to put pressure on you to see if you stand correctly. And for that you need human contact.
Because you cannot do push hand in VR. You need a counterpart, live, touching you.
The difference between Taijiquan and Qi Gong / Yoga / meditation is, that it is an art that needs communication and direct physical contact. And that’s exactly what we’ll all be craving for when Virtual Reality takes over.
So I prepare. I practice Taijiquan already now so I have something to rely on. And to teach to others.
Happy Qi!
Angelika
BTW: I know that there are other arts, that will help up coping with Virtual Reality. Maybe Kungfu. Or any martial art. Taijiquan just happens to be my preferred martial art. And I think it is much softer on the body. Because when VR really hits high street, there will be maaaaany people with health issues. I think Taijiquan will be soft enough to help people coming with different health conditions and all ages – just have a look at all the benefits of Taijiquan!
I agree that tai chi and Qi Gong may be the best option to establish a link between mind, body, and breath. But unless you can manage to practice 6 hours a day, every day (ideal life for me), I think you would need to supplement it with other activities.
Hi Jeff,
I guess a lot of people dream of practicing 6 hours a day!
However, a lot of people want to do things perfectly and for the “perfect” number of hours, but I think: 30 minutes of practice are better than nothing! My general rule (not only for practice but for many areas of my life:
Done is better than perfect!
Because what’s missing for some people (maybe even most people) is actually DOING something to link mind, body, breath. And once you get started, you will most likely practice more and more and your insights will spill over in your everyday life!
Angelika