HOW TO KEEP MOTIVATED IN YOUR TAI CHI PRACTICE

Sifu Simon early morning Qi Routine

Many practitioners of the Eastern Arts tell me they have no problem with discipline. They are self-motivated gods who effortlessly arise each morning before dawn, jog down to their local park and for the following 3 hours stand immobile, concentrating on little-known techniques such as the Reversible Ironing Board Breathing Set, or the almost forgotten practice of  the Fainting-Cockroach-Eyebrow-Expulsion Moon Dance. 

I’m always impressed when I talk telepathically to these people, for I’ve never been much of an example to others. I generally lack their discipline, I easily find reasons to postpone work, I get distracted and I hate getting up whilst I'm still asleep and it is still dark. 
So how can someone with a routine like mine, keep up a motivational practice? How can I break poor habits and adopt new ones when I’m such an indisciplined lout? 

Then, satisfied they have taken sufficient selfies and merged with the Tao, they jog home to upload their morning activities to their Instagram followers. Then, they knock-back a watercress and garlic smoothie, drop into a Plank position for 3 hours and simultaneously work through a self-study course on 17th century Mandarin, before heading off to work. ​

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30 days

After teaching Tai Chi for over 25 years, I'm aware that the problem is not exclusively mine. Most new students rarely practice outside the class hours, much as they may be encouraged to do so. Most Instructors convince themselves that their students are diligent in their practice, but the sad truth is that few even practice that weeks Form posture between classes. Consequently, they forget, and then feel bad and guilty, and then probably drop out of the class. It happens a lot. 

To help my students practice at home, I did set up a Whatsapp group. It succeeded in getting them to organise socials together, but rarely to train. I've organised SLACK forums or Facebook groups where questions can be raised and issues or practices discussed outside class, but again, public forums are not always what is required with a private practice. So then I looked at private motivational apps and in particular one that could be used for trying out something new for a period of time (let's say 30 days)  - for example to Read a book, complete an outstanding DIY job, contemplate a change of schedule or routine.  

STREAKS

There are plenty of mobile phone apps that will help you accomplish this task - my favourite digital tool of the moment is called Streaks. It permits just 6 habits to be pursued, and I add to this a 30 day time limit. 
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Later, after completing the 30 days, you may want to repeat it or do more. But start with small habits. Small habits that are thoughtfully formed, become part of your daily work, and become part of who you are. Who you are is always alive and always open to change. This is why after 30 days you can decide what you want to do. Change is always an option. 

It's a good idea to add habits that you find you have difficulty practising. For example, lots of people add “Walk the dog” or Clean my teeth”. Personally, if you are either a dog or teeth owner, I think these should be second nature.  But if in your case this is not so, then add them in the app until they become part of your daily routine. Then let go.  Change, its all about absorbing routine in order to let it go. 

Keep it varied to keep it fresh

You do not have to use the app of course, you could use a pencil and paper and follow Bullet journaling, for example. After I tire of mobile apps I generally do come back to this. Next month I may suggest something else. But change is not a problem, for if I don’t change the way I do things fairly regularly I get bored. I know, It’s a sign of my immaturity, but hey - it happens. I like to do my Tai Chi Form backwards, sideways, upside down - just to vary things. I practice my Sword Form with a cheese grater and a colander on my head, and this month I’m teaching my Goldfish diaphragm breathing. Change is the essence of life. Embrace it. 

I thought this was just me, but then I read this report saying that we achieve more when our routines are fresh and challenging. So, the goldfish has another 20 days to go. I’ll let you know how well he does. ​

More...

Stand Like  A Flamingo and Walk like a Cat are two techniques taught in the Teapotmonk Online courses. Want to try them out? Grab the exercise sheets or read more here. 
Streaks app for Android or IOS  - more info here.