| Many years ago when I was a manager I provided Tai | | | | poor shot they played at a critical time. The very top |
| Chi lessons for my staff during the lunch break as a | | | | players, like Federer, have developed ways to stay |
| stress reduction technique. I brought in professional | | | | centred and maintain their focus over very long |
| teachers and participated myself. We learned to | | | | periods. |
| breathe effectively and move in the slow, rhythmical | | | | Tai Chi is very important for centering and maintaining |
| movements of this martial arts exercise.. | | | | focus - make it a part of your inner game of tennis. |
| I was acutely embarrassed initially because I could not | | | | 2. Improve your balance through Tai Chi |
| pick up the movements. However, as I progressed I | | | | Tai Chi is considered a moving form of meditation and |
| started to feel the stress release effects of Tai Chi | | | | focuses very much on achieving balance and |
| and wanted to learn more. | | | | awareness of balance. |
| The most surprising result for me was that my tennis | | | | You have probably seen groups of people use the |
| improved, particularly my volleys. As I investigated this | | | | slow motion movements in the local park or at the |
| further, I found that Tai Chi helped me in two key | | | | seaside and observed how well balanced they are |
| ways. | | | | when doing movements on one leg. |
| 1. Becoming centred through Tai Chi | | | | Tennis requires a lot of balance, getting yourself set |
| Centering yourself or becoming grounded is a key | | | | for the next stroke. You will hear tennis commentators |
| focus of Tai Chi. Some proponents encourage you to | | | | frequently remark, 'It was a poor shot because he |
| adopt the "horse" position when you practise this | | | | was off-balance when he hit the ball.' |
| martial art and this is designed to center yourself and | | | | If you have a sore ankle or leg, you will find that it is |
| let your energy flow freely. | | | | hard to do volleys properly because you tend to |
| When you are centered you can focus more strongly | | | | protect the sore leg by taking your weight off it. As a |
| and for longer periods. Your mind is on-the-job and you | | | | result, you do not transfer your weight properly when |
| are concentrating on your tennis game and tennis | | | | you play your volley. The same applies for serving and |
| strokes. | | | | groundstroke in tennis. |
| You will often see the momentum shift in a game of | | | | If you take up Tai Chi, even for ten minutes a day, you |
| tennis when one player loses focus, even when they | | | | will be able to dramatically improve your balance and |
| are winning. This can happen to even the elite players. | | | | your tennis game. |
| They may be thrown off-centre by a bad line call or a | | | | |