The practice of Taijiquan and Qigong should not be confined to the classroom or the training ground because these arts art not just a classroom exercise; they are a way of life. By living according to their principles, you learn how to develop your physical health and strength, to cultivate and accumulate your vital energy (Qi), to calm and concentrate your mind, and to nurture and strengthen your spirit. By spirit, I mean everything from the state of your morale up to and including the energy entity that survives the cessation of physical life. The strength of your spirit affects all the other aspects of your being—your physical health and strength, your mental health and strength, and the quantity of your Qi and the quality of its circulation. Developing a strong spirit requires a long time of nurturing and cultivation during which time the spirit is fragile like an infant and can easily diminish and even perish if not properly nurtured and protected. Properly nurtured and protected, your spirit will eventually become strong and self-sustaining. In trying times like the present, nurturing and protecting your spirit is especially important.