What are the similarities between yoga and Tai Chi

From the perspective of ordinary enthusiasts who have practiced yoga for 8 years and Chen-style Tai Chi for 4 years, the core similarity between the two is that they are both mindfulness exercises in the synergy of "body-breath-mind". In essence, they are not competitive fitness that pursues external movement standards, but a practice path that adjusts breathing through body movements and ultimately collects the mind.

Let’s not talk about those mysterious philosophical concepts, but let’s talk about the most basic breathing requirements. Those who have practiced Ashtanga must be familiar with Ujjahi throat breathing, which requires even and long breathing, and the entire rise and fall of the movements. This is almost the same as the requirement of "rising and falling, inhaling and exhaling" in Tai Chi. When I first started learning Tai Chi a few years ago, I always got stuck in my breathing. I was out of breath after doing the same old routine all the way, as if I had run three kilometers. Later, I tried to introduce the laryngeal breathing habit in yoga. Within two weeks, I could breathe steadily according to the movements. Even the old master who taught Tai Chi praised me as "the breath is calmer than that of a veteran student who has practiced for five or six years." Who knew that I was a master who stole yoga.

Not only breathing, the underlying requirements of movement between the two events are also fundamentally similar. Yoga emphasizes the principle of "non-violence". Stop when the posture reaches your limit. You must not forcefully break the ligaments to create a concave shape. Tai Chi emphasizes "loose but not unremitting, tight but not stiff". It does not allow you to compete with yourself and use clumsy strength, nor does it require you to perform the movements to the level of standard templates from the beginning. I used to keep my heels on the ground when practicing downward dog pose in yoga. I pressed my heels so hard that my Achilles tendon became inflamed for half a month. Later, when I practiced Tai Chi, my master tapped my wrist several times and said, "Asking for speed is a disease, and you have to leave three points of leeway when doing movements." When I came back and practiced downward dog, I no longer stared at my heels. Instead, they flattened naturally within two months. It's quite amazing to say that.

Of course, many people do not agree with the statement of "interconnection", especially researchers and senior practitioners who are deeply involved in a single field. They feel that the two are completely different from their origins to their core goals - yoga was born out of the ancient Indian practice system, and its ultimate direction is spiritual awakening away from worldly pain. Tai Chi was originally A school of traditional Chinese martial arts, the core is to develop "integrated strength" for martial arts. The current health-preserving attributes are actually derived from modern times. The forced similarities have eliminated the uniqueness of each culture. I actually agree with this statement. After all, if the origins are traced, the two systems are indeed two completely independent developments.

But for us ordinary enthusiasts, there is no need to dig into such deep cultural origins. Just talking about the physical sensation of daily practice, the changes brought about by the two are actually not much different. Many friends around me who practice both projects at the same time said that after practicing yoga to open their hips, Tai Chi's down posture and step have become much more stable. The relaxation and calmness gained by practicing Tai Chi can also be used in yoga backbends and handstands to prevent shoulders and back stiffness. To put it bluntly, it is a way to talk to your body. Take half an hour after get off work, whether it is to practice a set of yin yoga or two rounds of Tai Chi. After sweating a little, all the chores in your mind will be cleared away. This real sense of relaxation is the most down-to-earth connection.