01/09/2026
Ming-Daoents an insightful explanation in TaiJi The Supreme Ultimate, Part 1 of his comprehensive 7-part series. It thoughtfully highlights a relaxed approach and encourages reflection on the graceful pace of Taijiquan. ☯️ Take a moment to read.
TAIJI: THE SUPREME ULTIMATE SLOWNESS 1/7
A RELAXED PACE
INTRODUCTION: This seven-part series, running on Fridays, contemplates the slowness of Taijiquan.
One translation of Taij, 太極, is “supreme ultimate.” Another interpretation is “to the ultimate limits.” If we practice Taijiquan, why should we commit ourselves to slowness—to the point of knowing it as an utmost limit?
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Ask anyone about Taiji, and they’ll mimic the beginning posture by leisurely raising and lowering their arms. It’s an amazing testament to how the idea has become part of everyday consciousness.
Think about this with me: Can you slowly make a movement with full and conscious engagement of your body? It will bring you great benefit if you do.
All too often, beginners will heave themselves into a dictated position before going slack. Or they’ll take a step, get about the right distance, and then let their foot fall the last couple of inches. They’re trying to meet the instruction to “relax.” But achieving a relaxed state is more subtle than going limp.
Instead, try engaging the muscles doing the work just enough to complete the movement. Loosen only the antagonistic, or opposite, muscles. Don’t try to completely loosen an entire limb.
Doing Taijiquan that way will reveal the brilliance, the necessity, and the technique of going slow, of being mindful, and of being completely engaged. Remember, relaxation applies to selected parts of your body in a rolling process. Coordinating relaxation and slowness is essential. Since the muscles that must perform the movements and the muscles that must relax change moment by moment throughout the range of a posture, you can see how Taiji’s slowness is an integral part of its art.
