Tai Chi helps us change. Our mind and body get accustomed to the way we have always done things, even things that are not really that good for us. Therefore, on a subconscious level, parts of us resist good changes that Tai Chi fosters because we don't want to let go of the way we have always been. Part of us likes to be a "couch potato" and doesn't like the way Tai Chi is getting us more involved in an active life. Resistance to change may manifest itself in many ways.
Resistance may do the following:
* Cause you to scold yourself, to tell yourself you are too clumsy, too uncoordinated, too slow, or too tired to do Tai Chi.
* Tell you Tai Chi is for other people who are better, smarter, stronger, or more coordinated than _you are.
* Tell you that the teacher doesn't like you or that Tai Chi or Qigong is dumb and useless. [Of course, the medical research shows the opposite, but the mind plays games with us, when challenged to change.]
* Tell you that it would be much more fun to watch TV and eat potato chips tonight, rather than going all the way out to your Tai Chi class.
* If you miss a class, resistance will tell you, "You're already too far behind; don't go back there."
If you hang in there long enough, however, you will discover that after nearly every Tai Chi class, you will feel much better than you did before going. If you become conscious of the voices of "resistance," you will be more likely to stick with Tai Chi.
