With all the programs around like tai chi for diabetes, tai chi for cancer, tai chi for high blood pressure, tai chi for seniors, tai chi for kids, etc., I thought to myself, what group is being left out here? While comedians have had fun paraphrasing the character Cole Sear from the Sixth Sense: “I see stupid people.” None of us are exempt from the occasional bout of stupidity. It’s always nice if no one is there to witness it, because like the tree falling in the forest when no one is there, there’s no evidence it actually made a sound.
While I had some fun with the title of this post, it really is tongue in cheek. We’re all familiar with the phrase “If you don’t use it, you loose it.” The corollary to this is that if you use it, you make it better, stronger. Tai chi is one of the all-time best body-mind exercises in existence, and science has shown us that as we learn new things, we rewire portions of our brains.
Tai chi is often accurately referred to as a moving meditation and according to an article in Harvard Magazine, “Tai chi is a very interesting form of training because it combines a low-intensity aerobic exercise with a complex, learned, motor sequence. Meditation, motor learning, and attentional focus have all been shown in numerous studies to be associated with training-related changes—including, in some cases, changes in actual brain structure—in specific cortical regions.” The article this quote was taken from is titled Easing Ills through Tai Chi. (click on the title to go to the article)
What this says to me is that tai chi may actually help make us smarter, at least in some ways. We all know high stress levels can lead to bad decisions, while being relaxed and in a good mood aids the decision making process. Tai chi relieves stress levels, improves our moods, increases circulation, and together these things lead to better brain functioning, not to mention other benefits of body-mind exercise.
So if you’ve just done something you hope no one else noticed, I suggest breaking into to a “random act of tai chi”. Better to be thought eccentric and smart than just plain stupid. Don’t you agree?
I leave you with an apt teaching from pages of the Duhism e-Bible.
“Duhism teaches: Do not be patronizing… which means talking down to people as if they’re dumb, duh.”
Your thoughts?
John
Leave A Reply (10 comments So Far)
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S.Smith (21 comments)
691 days ago
I’m with you.
Here’s peek deeper in my mind: I consider bodies, more so than minds, highly intelligent. I take your sign very seriously… perhaps aggressively or yangily pushing the power and intelligence back into Taiji as a whole… form, pushing, etc.
Some modern movements are awfully patronizing. In a pathetic attempt make Tai Chi easier – Ha! – what at first seems like good intentions simply offers stupidity to both body and mind. Easy neglects the sturdy intelligence lurking in the spirit.
I like your warning and your insight about developing intelligence echoes…
John Crewdson (479 comments)
691 days ago
Thanks Steven,
I agree that pushing the body, in an attempt to leave the mind to catch up later, is where tai chi really starts. Once we can feel what’s right and what’s wrong, the brain can figure out how to “xplain it”. It’s better in this case, I think, to patronize the mind.
John
Mary (9 comments)
687 days ago
Hi John,
I had to chuckle at your opening statement. I was at a Tai Chi for Diabetes training and it was suggested to Dr. Lam that all that was missing was Tai Chi for Better Sex. A blush was the only response he gave. Thanks again for the blog, it’s always interesting.
Blessings,
Mary
John Crewdson (479 comments)
687 days ago
Mary,
Yea, since tai chi is a whole body exercise all we need to do is throw in a couple of specific exercises and viola, we have tai chi for… Dr. Lam uses this to good effect in his marketing, and I can’t say it’s beyond me once I begin doing marketing either. Whatever brings people into tai chi is a good thing. We can however, still laugh at ourselves.
John
Helen (4 comments)
687 days ago
This is such a great post, because in actuality it is the people who need Tai Chi the most are the ones who are most resistant to it. I was a “stupid ” person for 10 ears before I finally got my body into a Tai Chi class and have been grateful for 7 years now. Hey John maybe we can collaborate on the new form and call it “Tai Chi for intellectually challenged”. I mean no disrespect to anyone! This is a funny OK?
John Crewdson (479 comments)
687 days ago
Helen,
I think we’ve all been there before. Let’s see, “Tai Chi for The Intellectually Challenged”… I like it!
John
Alex (4 comments)
397 days ago
Wow, the solution of all my problems:))) What a pity, that I haven’t heard about it before.
)
Tai Chi forever!! Tai Chi for Fat, Tai Chi for Sad, Tai Chi for stupid, Tai Chi for single, Tai Chi… Bravo!
Andrew (2 comments)
264 days ago
There are many conventional drugs that are used to treat hypertension. However, most of these drugs have side effects on their users, this range from reduced levels of potassium in the patient, to blood vessels dilation. Proper use of herbs can quickly lower blood pressure.
An individual with a history of high levels of blood pressure regularly is suffering from hypertension. There are mainly two categories of hypertension namely primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension doesn’t have a specific cause. On the other hand secondary hypertension is caused by some medical condition like kidney failure, lung problems or pregnancy induced hypertension.
Alex Gracian (1 comments)
147 days ago
I had fun reading your article. I haven’t actally experience doing tai chi but I’m always amazed whenever I get to see someone doing it. I might probabaly enroll once I have a free time.