“Tai Chi” involves more than meets the eye. The word “Tai Chi” refers to the harmonious balance of life energy in Nature. Many energy practices are based on Tai Chi principles, including numerous forms and movements. Using Tai Chi to harmonize with yourself is like tuning an instrument. It doesn’t matter what time of day you want to connect with your inner melody.
It’s about your intention.
What kind of energy would you like to start your day with? What kind of music would you like to make as your energy grows and your movements charge the air around you? What energetic symphony will you conjure before settling into bed?
Whatever the time of day and the intention, you can use Tai Chi to help tune into a deep connection with yourself and the world around you. In this article, we will explore the best times of day to practice Tai Chi in order to manifest your intentions.
• What Time of the Day for Tai Chi Practice Is Best? • Setting Intentions: What Time of the Day You Should Do Tai Chi • How Many Times a Day Should You Do Tai Chi? • Promote Routine-Building by Practicing Tai Chi at the Same Time Every Day • Practice Tai Chi Any Time of the Day With Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi
Tai Chi movements usually include a series of slow, smooth, and deliberate strikes, steps, held postures, and soft forms. When you practice Tai Chi movements, you create harmony between your mind, body, and environment. This is why Tai Chi is sometimes called “moving meditation.”
While there may be no perfect time of day to practice Tai Chi, you can make it a beneficial and intentional part of your routine by practicing at specific times each day.
Our intentions direct our energies. Tai Chi exercises may help bridge or transition energy between daily activities. So whether you’re starting the day, ending it, or anything in between, Tai Chi can help align your intention and energy.
Tai Chi movements can be performed standing, seated, or even lying down. This makes it a mindfulness practice that can be used practically anywhere or anytime. Consider using Tai Chi exercises to reset, re-center, and re-balance yourself at any of these times during the day.
After waking up from a deep sleep, or especially if your sleep was restless, you might find yourself in need of a morning pick-me-up. Instead of reaching for a cup of coffee, consider taking a moment to practice Tai Chi instead.
The beginning of your day can be an excellent time to gather your energy and set mindful intentions before responsibilities and to-do lists take up all your attention. Whether you’re looking to de-stress, energize, create focus, or practice general mindfulness, Tai Chi in the morning gives you the opportunity to connect with yourself first and foremost.
When you wake up and reach for your phone, you immediately become vulnerable to outside sources that can make or, more often, break your peaceful state of mind. Instead of instantly seeking a connection to the outside world via the Internet, try practicing mindfulness through Tai Chi.
Research suggests that even five minutes of mindful, meditative practice first thing in the morning may help decrease your stress and anxiety for the rest of the day.
Tai Chi has been found to help improve mental concentration. Over time, it may also improve memory and the ability to focus. Tai Chi is a great way to start your morning.
The middle of your day is filled with opportunities for balance, creativity, and flow, but it can also be wrought with experiences that may derail us, scattering our energies and our focus. If you need to re-tune and re-harmonize, a midday Tai Chi practice could be the answer.
Whether you’re a working individual, a stay-at-home parent, or a student with a lot on your plate, Tai Chi can be a great way to harmonize with yourself and prepare for the rest of your day.
You may not notice your posture while working throughout the day. Often, we spend time hunched over while looking at our phones, computers, or laptops. Tai Chi can help you create balance in your mindset, your energy, and your posture.
Tai Chi movements promote proper posture and breathing, which may aid digestion, improve core strength, and decrease lower back pain and joint stress. By performing a quick Tai Chi session, you may be able to help correct your posture and remind yourself not to slouch.
Sometimes, you might reach the end of your day but still feel wound up. Your work and school life may follow you home; when they do, your mind will still be racing even though your body is tired.
Tai Chi can help you find some peace of mind and quality relaxation time. A short session may help you wind down and prepare for sleep.
Mindful Tai Chi movements help stretch your muscles, which may reduce tension in the body. They can also help decrease sympathetic nervous system output by slowing your heart rate. This may promote relaxation and improve your mood after a long day at work.
In East Asian countries, Tai Chi exercises are often practiced outdoors so that the internal flow of energy blends with the energy flow in Nature.
Try practicing Tai Chi on a camping trip or even in your backyard to explore the potential of practicing Tai Chi in Nature under the moon and stars.
You’re in bed, and it feels like the clock is winding down, but you aren’t. Don’t spend your night tossing and turning. Instead, try a short Tai Chi session to help your body and mind relax. Since you can do a Tai Chi meditation like jigam (“energy ball” meditation) while lying down, you can even practice it in bed to help prepare you for sleep.
Research has found that Tai Chi exercises help improve sleep quality even in individuals with chronic sleep issues. Some Tai Chi movements can promote muscle relaxation and breathing, which may also help you fall asleep faster.
Unlike a sport or competitive martial art, some forms of Tai Chi are meant to be effortless. You do not need to practice until you’re perfect at each movement to reap the benefits of Tai Chi.
However, to get the most out of your Tai Chi sessions, you will need to create a routine. Some people like to begin with a 20-minute session, 2-3 times a week. Whether you practice in the morning, at noon, or at night is up to you, but you should experiment to find what works best. You can also practice shorter Tai Chi exercises at different points in your day. Once you’ve established a routine, you can increase your sessions and practice more often each week.
Participating in Tai Chi and Qigong classes with experienced instructors can help to improve your form and focus. Brain & Body Yoga and Tai Chi instructors offer one-hour classes that combine elements from various Eastern practices, including Tai Chi and Qigong, to help you find inner harmony and peace. Whether you want to enhance your mental, physical, or spiritual self, you’ll find an environment where like-minded individuals can come together to practice mindfulness.
Body & Brain also offers a 50-minute one-on-one introductory session for those who prefer extra guidance when starting out.
You can use Tai Chi as a building block for other mindful routines. If you want to start a mindfulness journal, practice Tai Chi exercises before you write. If you want to decrease your screen time before bed or in the morning, you can substitute your morning/nightly scrolling with a quick Tai Chi session to curb your habits.
The time of the day you practice Tai Chi does not matter as much as the practice itself, and like an instrument, the more you practice, the better and more efficient your Tai Chi routine will be. Mindfulness is a journey; it’s not a race.
Keep in mind that we are communal beings. We seek the company of others who share our intentions and practices. Consider joining one of the many Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi retreats and workshops designed to help you find inner peace and personal growth in a supportive community environment.
Once you are familiar with Tai Chi, any time you feel you need to reset, rebalance, or recharge your energy is an excellent time to practice.
For those looking to begin their mindfulness journey or start implementing Tai Chi as a mindfulness practice, we invite you to an online or in-person introductory session.
If you’re looking for a more profound Tai Chi experience, your nearest Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi center can introduce you to retreat options where you can dedicate time for self-exploration in the energy world.
So whether you’re looking to begin Tai Chi classes or seeking the spiritual journey of a lifetime, we can help you find your harmony and balance. Learn more about our classes and community today.