Are yoga and Tai Chi similar?

The answer is yes. Anyone who has practiced yoga and Tai Chi for a while can find a lot of echoes in the core of the two. However, this does not mean that the two are the same thing. The difference in core cultural roots and practice demands has always been a hot topic of discussion in the circle.

I practiced Ashtanga for the first three years. Later, my meniscus was worn out and I didn’t dare to do too strenuous jumps and folds. So I followed Master Chen in the park near my home to practice Tai Chi. I realized it on the third day after standing on the Wuji pile. The "slow and long breathing that sinks in the Dantian" required by Tai Chi was the same as when I practiced yoga. The Ujayi breathing logic I learned is almost exactly the same. It relies on the downward control of the diaphragm to regulate breathing steadily and deeply, which is equivalent to installing a small shock-absorbing pad for the beating heart. Whether it is doing the downward dog pose of yoga or the cloud hands of Tai Chi, once the breathing is steady, the whole person's state will not relax. Both of them also pay special attention to "body awareness". Yoga talks about "alignment" and Tai Chi talks about "standing in the center of the body." I couldn't help but slump my waist and raise my buttocks when I practiced yoga chair pose before. The instructor corrected me dozens of times but I couldn't change it. After standing in Wuji Zhuang for half a month, I went back to do magic chair pose, and my waist naturally stood up. I was already used to sensing the stretch of my lumbar spine when I was standing, and I didn't need to strain myself deliberately. If you look at yoga teachers and Tai Chi teachers who have been practicing for more than three to five years, most of them have straight and straight postures without being stiff, and there are very few people with chests and hunched backs. Essentially, after long-term training, the body has formed the muscle memory of correct exertion.

But if it is really said that the two are the same thing, many old people who have practiced for many years will definitely not agree. I previously attended an offline salon for sports rehabilitation. A teacher who has practiced yoga for ten years said that Tai Chi is not specific enough for muscle strength and stretching, and the results are too slow. ； Some seniors who have practiced Tai Chi for 20 years said that many yoga schools pursue the extreme range of postures, which can easily wear out the joints, which is completely contrary to the Tai Chi concept of "loose but not unremitting, not aggressive". This actually makes sense. After all, yoga originated from the ancient Indian practice system. The ultimate goal of many schools is to achieve spiritual transcendence through physical exploration. Some advanced postures really challenge the limits of the body. ； Tai Chi was born out of the traditional Chinese Taoist Daoyin technique. From its roots, it emphasizes "following nature". The range of movements always follows your body's condition and will not be forced.

I now practice Tai Chi three times a week and yoga twice a week. When I practice Tai Chi, my calmness helps me better perceive the force exerted in yoga poses, and I won’t rush to follow the movements to create concave shapes.； The core strength gained from practicing yoga can also make my lower body more stable and prevent me from wobbling when doing Tai Chi. In fact, there is no absolute high or low. We can learn from each other's similarities and respect the differences. After all, no matter what you practice, it is ultimately to get along well with your body.