The overlooked challenges

Taiji and Qigong challenges us in ways we are not used to. It's hard because it seems too easy. Qigong especially lacks the things found in other forms of exercise. It's slow, often repetitive and physically only moderately demanding. Standing practice, which is integral to Qigong and internal styles of martial arts, really is the anti-exercise exercise when compared against tennis, rock climbing, running or almost any other activity.
But sometimes challenges are overlooked. Outside of internal arts, slowing down is rarely encouraged. Stilling the body is hard to do. Stilling the mind is even harder. Repetition asks the mind to stay focussed without distraction. The simple movements demand that we find the natural alignment of our body. The trick is to recognise these challenges.
A lifestyle that bounces between hyper-stimulation and unconciousness has a hard time seeing something that falls outside of its own extremes. But internal arts like Qigong and Taiji can provide an opportunity for people to find a different approach and a different set of challenges to meet. And that can open up new opportunities.