The best way I have discovered in recent years is to practice Tai Chi at the beach. Whenever the morning light first appears, I step on the slightly cool beach with my bare feet and feel the sea breeze gently caressing my face. Along with the movements of Tai Chi, it is like flowing clouds and flowing water, as if it is integrated with the nature of heaven and earth. This unique practice environment can not only improve the effectiveness of exercise, but also allow the mind to gain rare tranquility and relaxation.
Why practice Tai Chi at the beach
The best place to practice Tai Chi can be a soft beach. When your feet sink into the fine sand, a large number of acupuncture points on the soles of the feet will be naturally stimulated to maintain balance. The effect of foot massage will be strengthened invisibly. The rhythm of the waves hitting the shore can become a natural metronome for practice to help regulate breathing and movement coordination. The sea breeze rich in negative oxygen ions will allow the body to receive more oxygen during exercise, making each movement full of vitality.
The seaside has a wide view, which is helpful to relax the tense nerves. When practicing movements such as holding the sparrow's tail and cloud hands, what you can see is the boundless sea level. This sense of visual extension can naturally broaden your mind. Compared with indoor exercises, Tai Chi between the sea and the sky is easier to achieve the state of "unity of form and spirit", allowing every breath to be turned into a dialogue with nature.
Basic movement essentials of Tai Chi at the seaside
The starting position should be facing the vast sea, with your feet the same width as your shoulders, and imagine that you are as stable as a rock on the seaside. When performing the action of parting the horse's mane, the arc created by the arm stroke can form a visual echo with the distant sea level, thereby helping to adjust the amplitude of the movement. In the golden rooster independent posture, special attention should be paid to the stability of the sand under your feet. You can first bend your knees slightly and then slowly lift one leg.
The footwork while traveling needs to be adjusted according to the characteristics of the sand. Because the sand surface is soft, when moving, you should first test it gently with your heels, and then slowly transition to the soles of your feet. When doing push-ups, the center of gravity should be shifted more slowly than on hard ground, allowing the body enough time to adapt to the elasticity of the sand. These adjustments can not only avoid sports injuries, but also better exercise balance ability.
Breathing methods for Tai Chi at the seaside
Facing the waves is a rare opportunity that can be used to practice breathing. It is recommended to use the "ebb and flow breathing method". When the waves come, you should inhale slowly and imagine taking the energy of the sea into your body. When the waves recede, you should exhale slowly to remove the turbidity and distracting thoughts from the body. This kind of breathing rhythm that can be synchronized with nature will make the practice effect more effective with half the effort.
When practicing opening and closing movements such as the single whip, you can cooperate with the principle of "opening, inhaling, and exhaling". When you open your arms, you should inhale deeply when you open your arms, and exhale deeply when you close them, so that each movement matches the depth of your breathing. When the sea breeze is strong, you can stand with your back to the wind to avoid breathing directly into the wind. At the same time, moderately slow down your breathing rhythm to feel the gentle physical exercise of the sea breeze on the respiratory system.
Things to note when doing Tai Chi at the beach
The safety knowledge that must be mastered is the tidal pattern involved in seaside exercises. It is recommended to choose a hard beach area after low tide and avoid slippery reef areas for activities. Early morning is the best time to carry out this activity. The sea breeze at this time is mild, the sun is in a suitable state, and the air is the freshest. Remember to bring a moisture-proof mat to use when ground movements are required.
In terms of clothing, materials that are breathable and sweat-absorbent should be chosen, with light colors as the preferred choice to avoid absorbing heat. When you are done, dry your body as soon as possible and change your clothes to prevent the sea breeze from taking away too much body temperature. If you feel the sun is very strong, you should wear a sun hat or choose a beach area near the shade of trees. These details can make the Tai Chi experience at the beach more safe and comfortable.
For those of you who love health-preserving exercise, what kind of venue do you most like to choose when practicing Tai Chi? Feel free to share your super unique and extraordinary experience in the comment area. If you feel that this article is inspiring to you, don't leave out a like to support it!
