Yoga and tai-chi are cousins to each other in that they both rely on going deep into one's self. Although they have different disciplines, their goals are intermingled for health and restoration of the body and spirit. Regardless of your age, you can begin to explore the exercises and disciplines related to both yoga and tai-chi by slowly breathing what may be called infant breath. The name "infant breath" relates to the way infants breathe.
Take your tongue and place it on top of your palate behind your front teeth. Now begin to breathe in, and as you do so, extend your stomach out. The reverse is done on the exhale. Concave your stomach and in both inhale and exhale, breath should be through the nose.
Use this exercise daily and when you feel tension during the day. Remember to focus on your breath and to exclude all other thoughts. If you have problems focusing, just say to yourself, "I'm breathing in," when inhaling, and "I am breathing out," when exhalling. At the same time that you do this exercise, imagine an inner smile in your internal being. Namaste. (the spirit in me goes out to the spirit in you).
