“Tai
Chi” used in this way, to describe a way of doing something, means
to use the principles of Tai Chi to accomplish something in the most
efficient (ultimate) way.
One principle is to use the most economical, least energy draining energy available.
As applied to digging with a shovel, most of us who use a shovel, push and stomp on it to get it into the ground, then bend and shove it down to break the earth, use the strength of our backs to lift it and the muscles of our arms to throw it. This of course, makes it back breaking work.
If you use the principles of Tai Chi, it works like this: You place the shovel's edge on the ground, step on it using your whole body weight on the handle (creating a lever), and break the earth out. You then reach down with the other hand and using your thighs (the largest muscle) lift straight up. Now take a step in the direction the shovel is pointing, the arms, if relaxed, will swing in that direction, then stop the shovel and the dirt will continue to it's destination (momentum/inertia).
One principle is to use the most economical, least energy draining energy available.
As applied to digging with a shovel, most of us who use a shovel, push and stomp on it to get it into the ground, then bend and shove it down to break the earth, use the strength of our backs to lift it and the muscles of our arms to throw it. This of course, makes it back breaking work.
If you use the principles of Tai Chi, it works like this: You place the shovel's edge on the ground, step on it using your whole body weight on the handle (creating a lever), and break the earth out. You then reach down with the other hand and using your thighs (the largest muscle) lift straight up. Now take a step in the direction the shovel is pointing, the arms, if relaxed, will swing in that direction, then stop the shovel and the dirt will continue to it's destination (momentum/inertia).
Here we have used gravity, leverage, inertia, momentum and the least amount of our muscular energy as possible.
Many people who dig a great deal, will end up doing it this way eventually through trial and error. We can save a great deal of time and energy if we apply the principles of Tai Chi to all of our activities, physical, social, professional, etc.
