I was asked the other day when I started learning Tai Chi, and it got me thinking. Well, I was 21. I can’t remember the exact month, I think September but I do remember the car I had at the time. That’s how I know my age. A lot has changed in my life since then. Not just the car. I’ve lived in and renovated five homes, a couple of them major projects where the entire roof came off and my wife and I rebuilt the house, with a lot of help along the way. During this time, we got married, built a business, and now have three amazing children, the oldest is 15, the youngest is 8. Looking back at that car, I thought to myself, I’ve owned many cars since then some good, some not so good, and some I wish I still had. But what really stands out to me is that despite all the changes along the way, Tai Chi has been a constant. With all the noise and chaos of life, it has always given me a quiet place to return to. Only now, more than 20 years on, do I truly see the value of that Tai Chi sanctuary I used to attend. It never occurred to me at the time that it was a space to escape the stresses and strains of building projects, raising a young family, and setting up a business. It was just something I did, rarely missing a class. What started as an interest, simply going somewhere to learn movement once or twice a week became a habit. And in that habit, I found the grounding of Tai Chi. I used to go somewhere to find this grounding, but more recently, I’ve noticed that now, when I move, it comes to me. Tai Chi has genuinely changed my world. I truly believe for the better! It hasn’t been easy, but it has been constant. There were certainly times I thought, what’s the point? I’ll never get it; my body won’t allow these movements; I’m broken. I made excuses for myself, like I can’t do it because my job is damaging my body, or I’m too tired because I didn’t get enough sleep last night. In pain and uncomfortable, I’d think to myself, with a hint of jealousy, how does my instructor make it look so easy and effortless? The truth is, it came down to her experience.

The Dantian, Breathing, and Why Tai Chi Calms the Body In Tai Chi, we place a lot of emphasis on breathing and awareness of the Dantian. The Dantian is a central point of focus located about three finger widths below the navel and an inch or so inward. From a modern biological perspective, this area aligns with the core and diaphragm. From a Tai Chi perspective, it is where movement, breath, and intention come together. The calming effect of the Dantian and how it Calms You When you breathe slowly and naturally into the lower abdomen while resting your attention on the Dantian, the body shifts from stress mode to calm mode This is because this style of breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and rejuvenation. As a result of this breathing, your heart rate slows, muscle tension decreases, and the mind becomes quieter. Focusing the mind Focusing the mind on a single point also reduces mental chatter. Instead of the mind jumping from thought to thought, attention settles. In tai chi terms, this is often described as bringing the mind back to the centre. Thoughts will pop into your head that’s normal simply let them go and return your focus back to your centre. Meditation is achieved by this very process, bringing your mind back to a point of focus. Meditation isn’t just having an empty mind. The truth is, you learn to quiet the mind by only engaging with what you choose to and your ability to focus grows stronger. Tai Chi Breathing Basics Breathe in through the nose and out through the nose Keep the mouth relaxed (the mouth is for eating, not breathing) Your tongue should rest to the top of your mouth just behind your top teeth Let the breath be slow, smooth, and unforced Allow the abdomen to gently expand on the inhale and soften on the exhale Keep the chest, shoulders, and jaw relaxed There is no need to push the breath or try to “make something happen.” Simply allow the breath and awareness to settle naturally into the Dantian.