Here’s a handy tip for beginners who practise a Tai Chi form.
By the way, the term ‘square’ refers to the stop start method of learning a Tai Chi form.
Whenever you are in an upright posture, as you move throughout the form, imagine you are sitting on a high chair (feet flat on the floor). Make sure the knees don’t go over the toes when you ‘sit on the chair’.
This square chair method will help you align your body correctly; helps avoid the common problems of rolling your hips forward and sticking your tailbone out.
Here are some examples in the Wu Style form where you can practice ‘square chair’ in the form:
- Beginning
- Seven Stars
- Cross Hands
- Fan Through the Back
- Pat the Horse High
- Golden Cockerel Stands on One Leg
I thought of this technique yesterday when I was practising the round form (continous flow) and imagined sitting on a high chair for a very brief moment as I moved into upright postures.
However, if you are a beginner, square up your form with ‘square chair’ Tai Chi.