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The Joints and Ligaments
We are born with much natural ability and internal energy, many things we do nowadays in the modern stressful society causing us to lose or block up the internal energy. For example the Qi energy is born with us, tensed muscle, joints and ligaments block up the energy. However just relaxing them only result in unblocking to allow Qi to flow better, we also need to loosen them in order to cultivate stronger Qi. The stretching and loosening of these structures will make them more elastic and strong, thus enhancing the Jin.

The Qi and Jin
These are too big subjects to cover here; more will be mentioned later in this article. Qi is the life energy in you and one of the fundamental purposes of Tai Chi is to cultivate the Qi. In the advanced level of Tai Chi, your mind controls the Qi and the Qi directs the Jin (the force you deliver). The Qi is enhanced by all three categories of internal components, breathing and loosening of joints and ligaments are important parts of it.

Methods to work on
Using reverse abdominal breathing can enhance “Sink your Qi to the Dan Tian”. The Dan Tian is the storage house for the Qi and is located three-finger breadth below the umbilicus (navel). As you breathing out using abdominal or reverse abdominal methods, loosen your whole body and mental focused to feel the Dan Tian slowly sinking. A heavy and warm sensation will be felt at the Dan Tian. As your practice more you will gradually feel the power of the Qi.

When delivering force using reverse abdominal breathing methods, you can make vocal sounds, which can help to enhance the power. The sound should be controlled and strong like your force.

The Mind
One of the uniqueness of Tai Chi is the integration of the mind and body. As we become or artificially educated we have lost some of the connection between the conscious mind and the body. Check with a mirror or video and you will find your body is not always doing exactly what your mind think it is doing. For example you might think your spine were vertical but you might actually bending slightly. We need to train the mind so that what your brain thinks, your body does.

Our goal is to achieve:
•Clarity of mind when you practice
•Awareness of the environment
•Awareness of your body being ready to deliver or absorb force, it is supple but not tensed.
•Consciously direct each movement, the force and the Qi

Clarity of mind
Mind control comes from mental focusing, when your mind is focused on your Tai Chi then it is clear. Focus and be aware of each of your movements, where your muscles are and where your joints are, not just where the movements are, and their intention. Learn the martial art intention of each movement so that when your mind is focused on the intention you will execute it correctly. Practice to stay focused and you will gradually be moving the Qi to direct the force.

Awareness of the environment
Try to extend your awareness outside your body. If you remember that Tai Chi is a martial art, then not only do you need concentration and clarity of mind within yourself; you also have to be aware of the environment outside you. Closing your eyes or looking down might help you to be aware of your own body but does nothing to help you against your opponent.

The Spirit – The Unconscious Mind
The right spirit when practicing Tai Chi is controlled largely by the unconscious mind. You can consciously make yourself raise the spirit for a short time, but then it automatically reverses back. Long term practice will improve this for longer length of time. However taping into the unconscious mind will enhance the spirit greatly. Looking at many classical Tai Chi text often give me an impression that the ancient masters are aware of this, except they use different terminology.

There are numerous articles and studies documenting the immense power of the unconscious mind. Assuming you have accepted this aspect being important, then there are methods to work on the unconscious mind. The above-mentioned method of positive imagery is a powerful example of training the unconscious mind, other method is the self-guided imagery method which is proven to be effective in the field of sport coaching. I will present a more detailed version of this method.

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