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After I plugged the tuner into my acoustic guitar, I tightened the keys to produce a clear tone from each string. The gadget has a color-coded indicator light that finds the correct note. When the yellow light turns green, you have a perfect pitch. If you create too much tension, the light will turn red and it sounds terrible. The tuner helped me find the correct balance with the right amount of tension.
If only it was that easy to find tension’s edge in our emotional life. Problems can offer a benefit when tension builds our faith or capabilities. But, sometimes problems turn into unhealthy worry because we fear a loss or bad end. When hope dwindles, the tuning light turns red and our emotional string is ready to pop. Without a healthy balance, we physically ache with muscle pain and tension headaches.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WORKOUT
To relieve tension many people drive to the gym and engage in a workout that produces beads of sweat, clenched teeth and vein-popping action. However, this form of exercise can be over the edge for a beginner or for someone with physical limitations. There is an alternative, tai chi chuan (known as tai chi).
Tai chi is a form of martial arts that originated in China. This gentle and fluid art provides low impact training with great health benefits. Today, there are five variations of tai chi with Yang Style leading in popularity. The physical intensity increases with slower movements, deeper lunges or by integrating more postures.
There are over 100 postures that resemble animals, self-defense and echoes of an ancient Chinese lifestyle. The movements evoke quiet energy with a focus on inner strength. With controlled breathing and complete concentration, this art provides enough tension to build muscles and bring balance. Balance is simply a “present place” of ideal health and harmony between mind and body. Health benefits have given this art much attention and recent research from the Mayo Clinic suggests that tai chi:
- Improves flexibility and balance
- Improves muscle strength
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Improves sleep quality
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves cardiovascular fitness in older adults
- Reduces falls in older adults
- Relieves chronic pain
- Increases energy, endurance and agility
ADJUSTING THE FLOW OF ENERGY
Intrigued by the studies, I interviewed a local tai chi instructor, Lou Drek, from Sun Oaks Tennis and Fitness Center in Northern California. He started practicing tai chi twelve years ago when diagnosed with Lymphoma. The illness and chemotherapy dropped his weight by sixty pounds. He struggled with mobility due to the loss of muscle mass. He had to find a way to maximize his limited oxygen to communicate and walk. He chose to turn his struggles into strength and learned tai chi.
“Adjusting the flow of energy will affect your body’s health,” he commented.
The balance between breathing and gentle tension helped him rebuild his muscles and rehabilitate his life. He credits much of his health to tai chi, so I decided to give it a try.
The ethnic music and slow-motion movements helped me to concentrate on my form and breathing. With one continuous movement, I shifted my weight from one foot to another. Choreographed hand and foot coordination added an extra challenge. I understood the phrase, “adjusting the flow of energy…,” a fitting reminder to do the same with excessive worry.
BENEFITS:
– No equipment needed
– Welcomes any age or gender
– Indoor or outdoor sport
– Tai Chi can be done either as a GROUP ACTIVITY Group Activity or an INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY. VIEW THESE VIDEO DEMONSTRATIONS.
– Increases concentration
– Provides variation and progression
– Time flexibility
PRECAUTIONS:
– Not recommended for pregnant woman
– Consult a doctor if you have an existing injury or illness
– Warm-up to reduce the risk of injury
WILL YOU CHOOSE DESTRUCTIVE TENSION OR CHRIST YOUR DELIVERER?
When we worry, we direct our flow of energy toward destructive tension. So, how can we recognize the edge? There’s no gadget with a flashing red light. Perhaps, our emotional life can be an indicator. Destructive tension walks with a companion, fear. You plod along believing more in your demise than in your Deliverer. Destructive tension escalates until it consumes your faith.
The tension God allows for our benefit doesn’t beat us down; it challenges us to reach higher. It’s full of hope and offers strength throughout the situation. It’s an opportunity for God to lavish His promises.
Perhaps you are at the edge of excessive worry. Even if it’s the result of a poor decision it doesn’t defer hope and comfort. The Bible reassures us with these words, “He longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.”
He will allow enough tension to build you up and transform you into a beautiful useful instrument. His heart is to bring you into balance with Him; then, your life’s music will be a joyful song.
RELATED RESOURCES
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: At Faith & Fitness Magazine I like to encourage readers to consider or explore a variety of fitness modalities. I certainly want to support you in learning more about Jesus Christ and God. This article about Tai Chi is in our Women’s Interest department because I’ve found that this type of exercise is of interest especially to our female readers. Yes, Tai Chi has roots from Eastern culture. I believe you can benefit from the physical art and science of Tai Chi while also being passionate and practicing your faith in Christ. If you feel you can’t then don’t do it. However, if you can or are willing to try it (if it is new to you) then I encourage you to find a place and group that isn’t necessarily in a church or Christian owned gym so that you can join others who are not Christian and be a positive presence and example of Christ’s love among others. God wants Christians to be EVERYWHERE He calls them to be. #GodsSpace
Read about SlowFlo, a Christian-based program that is an alternative to traditional Tai Chi.
