"The person who practices Taiji should move as naturally as possible, only then one can talk about Taiji and only then is it the real Taiji, since Taiji stands for the creative forces within nature and the cosmos.  When practicing Taiji, it is meant to co-relate with such a creative natural cycle. Whenever these forces are reached, they will direct an inner movement, which then again will direct the outer form. Such a creative force or power is Hunyuan. Hunyuan refers to the untaming and spiralling, cyclical force that enables and moves all life processes. Real Taiji is therefore not an "acted out" Taiji,- it is only good, when the dynamics of the spiraling Qi is felt,- then it also becomes visible throughout its expressions of smoothness and elegance. The Hunyuan must grow. We have to seek it and nourish it. During practice you can realize it more and more. Taiji is meant to be alive and to be developed as a natural principle."   Source

"Only when the external and internal are synchronized can we say our form is good. And even then, if we can synchronize our internal and external, there are levels beyond that. For example, we can reach the level where we are one with Hunyuan, as in you are moving with the universe. When you can reach the level where you are one with Hun yuan and the universe, it’s moving and you are part of it, so even though you are not actually practicing the form you are part of the movement."  Source
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Pic: Blowing Rock Conference Center, with Grandfather Mountain cloaked in morning fog in the background

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To wake up in the morning is a true blessing.  We are given another day, and shouldn't take it lightly.  Most systems of self-nurture recommend a routine for beginning the day.  Following is a recommended approach.  

1) After waking, rousing your self, and going to the bathroom, wash your face and rinse your eyes with cold water.  Put water in your eyes and hold your head to back to allow it to fully rinse.  Wash water over your head, getting your hair wet.  Brush your hair.  Brush your teeth.

2) Drink 2-3 glasses of room temperature or tepid water to re-hydrate.

3) Rinse with sesame seed oil, tea tree oil, or eucalyptus oil.  Gently massage your gums with oil using your fingertip.

4) Do a gentle self-massage, especially in the neck/shoulder area, limbs, and the lower back

5) Engage in a gentle stretching routine.  We typically get some horizontal disc compression and/or swelling, along with the accompanying tension and stiffness from sleeping.  This can vary depending on age, prior injuries, and mattress quality.  Seated twists, forward folds, cat-cows, and cobra/upward dog postures all work well for the lower back.  Add side bends, arms stretches, etc... depending on other tight/sore places.  Basically, stretch as necessary, but do stretch.

6) Engage in you choice self-nurturing routine, Hatha Yoga, Taiji, Pilates, Dao Yin, Qigong, etc... with enough vigor to warm the body and break loose accumulated toxins.  Ideally 20 minutes to 1/2 hour including the above stretching is sufficient.

7) Meditate 20--30 minutes minimum.  Once or twice a week meditate for 45 mins to an hour.

8) Count your blessings, pray, chant, say your choice affirmations--whatever is your preferred method for expressing gratitude to God/The Universe and to set the tone for the rest of your day.

All-in-all, this should take approx 1 hour or more.  I personally vary the self-nurture routine daily.  Over a 6 day week I will have done Ashtanga sun salutations, Chen Taiji, Dragon Dao Yin, and Hunyuan Qigong to prepare myself for meditation.  It is recommended to take a day off from this part of the routine once a week.  Everything else should be done every day without fail--if possible.

This is an excellent way to start your day.  Feel free to experiment and add practices from your own tradition or interests.  If you don't have enough time in the mornings to dedicate an hour to self-care, you may want to consider varying your life routine to make way for it.  It will contribute to a longer, healthier, more awakened life.

In his book, Journey to Self-Realization, Paramahansa Yogananda notes seven indications of true progress in meditation as follows:

• An increasing peacefulness during meditation
• A conscious inner experience of calmness in meditation metamorphosing into increasing bliss.
• A deepening of one’s understanding, and finding answers to one’s questions through the calm intuitive state of inner perception.
• An increasing mental and physical efficiency in one’s daily life.
• Love for meditation and the desire to hold on to the peace and joy of the meditative state in preference to attraction to anything in the world.
• An expanding consciousness of loving all with the unconditional love that one feels toward his own dearest loved ones
• Actual contact with God, and worshipping Him as ever new Bliss felt in meditation and in His omnipresent manifestations within and beyond all creation.

​Inspiration: OCOY