I’ve been practicing Taijiquan for many years now. I learned what I know from a Taijiquan master. I studied under this master for about two years and then due to a change of lifestyle and consequent financial changes, I discontinued this study. I have continued practicing the form on a daily basis since that time.

When I first studied, I tried to apply the principles of movement that I was learning to everything I did. Whether it was walking down the street, or getting up out of my chair, I was so fascinated with Taiji that scarcely a moment passed that I was not “doing” Taiji. Taiji was a part of my life.

Skip ahead 7 years or so… My Taiji was stuck in a rut. I still practiced the form, but my form was stuck in a rut and my Taiji was stagnant. A few months ago I was introduced to Chi-Running. Chi-Running is an attempt to take the principles of Taijiquan and apply them to running. Since I am training for a marathon, I became very interested in Chi-Running. I read the book and began applying these principles once again to not only my running and my Taijiquan (which has made significant improvements since I started Chi-Running), but all movement. I have since taken a Chi-Running class that has further served to push my form along and promote growth and improvement in both running and Taijiquan practice.

Today I was reading about The Habit of Prayer on my favorite blog, Glory to God for All Things. While I don’t think this post contained anything new to me, it presented it in such a way as to bring me to the realization that my approach to Taijiquan – that is, constantly applying it during the day – was exactly what prayer should be. Prayer should not be a habit, or something we schedule time for in our calendars. Prayer should consume our lives.

The practice of Taijiquan is like the Old Testament festivals and sacrificial system. They were a shadow of what was to come in Christ. Taijiquan is a shadow, an analogy, of true prayer.

Oh how sad that my prayer life is only a shadow of my Taijiquan.