It's a great pleasure to introduce the first of our guest bloggers, Karen Dabrowski.  Karen is a member of Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy, is a freelance journalist available for commissioned articles, editing, secretarial services, proofreading and transcripts: karendabrowski606@yahoo.co.uk   You can go to our links page to contact her...

Enjoy her article!

Tai Chi: the road to peace and happiness one form at a time

Tai chi is a journey, a wonderful learning experience. I remember coming to Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy in East London for the first time: the atmosphere was one of peace and serenity; the instructor was welcoming; the ethos was one of sharing.



Watching the sequence of 108 forms I could not imagine how it would be possible to remember all the movements. I sat and watched.



Each training session was a vital step in mastering the form. But it was also a step on the road to peace. Concentration and focus is essential when practicing tai chi: it is concentration that dissolves negativity and preoccupations with the worries and challenges of life. As the negative thoughts and emotions dissolve peace comes, and with peace comes happiness.



The point of the journey is to experience and enjoy, not to arrive. The challenge is to be better today then yesterday. It is an individual journey not a race or a competition. After each training session there is a feeling of exhilaration and profound well being and an eagerness to return and continue the journey.



But coming to the Academy and giving the practice of tai chi my undivided attention is only half the story. I soon realized that when I come to the academy I have to present my unvarnished self. It does not matter what letters I may or may not put in front of my name, what I do for a living, who I know, which planets square my moon. What matters is my willingness to learn, to develop, to contribute and to share what I know with my fellow students.



When presenting my unvarnished self it is incumbent on me to present my best self. This means over and above my tai chi practice I have to put my life in order and eliminate any negativity which clouds my mind. This can range from minor matters, like keeping the house tidy, creating a positive environment, making sure I greet and appreciate all the fellow travellers on life’s journey, to major concerns like relationship issues, ensuring I am in the right job and serving the community – making a difference is a tall order, but at least I should ensure that I do no harm and that no one is worse off for having come into contact with me. Only my 100 percent is good enough in the way I practice tai chi and the way I live my life.



In the words of master Laozi: “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”



Karen Dabrowski, a member of Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy, is a freelance journalist available for commissioned articles, editing, secretarial services, proofreading and transcripts: karendabrowski606@yahoo.co.uk