Tai Chi for health & wellbeing
I discovered this clip from my twitter and facebook friend – Coleman Fink. I like the way Chen Zhonghua’s explains and shows that the whole body needs to be intergrated when redirecting a force and also the need to sink.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxo04LH5WII&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
By Chris 2 Comments
It was hot the other day and I was practicising a Tai Chi posture in front of my mirror wearing my shorts.
Through the reflection of the mirror I noticed my knees were out of alignment. Had I been wearing my normal pants I may not have noticed the error.
It was a good lesson – in future I’ll occasionally wear shorts when I practice regardless of the weather – to make sure my knees are in the correct position and to avoid aggravating my minor knee injuries.
Not a difficult task considering I’m training indoors for a specific session.
It’s these little things of self discovery that can make a big difference to the quality of training.
And also keep my knees happy.
Just had a work out with my Tai Chi spear form practicing strength drills.
As I was training I noticed I was occasionally off balance, particularly when I was using fajing.
The spear is about 8 feet in length, made of bamboo and a weighty beast.
I need to make sure I stay in control of the weapon which is easier when I practice my sword, sabre, and fan forms because they are lighter in comparison.
Next time I go into the garden and practice I need to remind myself to – relax and stay in control of the weapon.
By Chris 8 Comments
I’ve just been experimenting with my Tai Chi form in the garden. A perfect day for it with the sun out, mild temperature.
Here’s what I did.
I focused my energy in the opposite direction as I moved throughout the form. And I felt a more powerful and connected feeling than usual when completing the form.
The technique involves imagining a gentle force pulling you in the opposite direction of where you are going. It’s similar to resistance exercises without using equipment.
For example when you move;
As you do the above don’t forget to think of the gentle resistance pulling you in the opposite direction. And make sure you relax, don’t tense as you feel the resistance.
It’s difficult to think of all these at once so try just one e.g. move right think left – move left think right – then try to use the other techniques combined. This technique is more for intermediate and advanced Tai Chi players. Beginners should only think of learning the form.
So reverse your thinking and you will invigorate your Tai Chi form.
I just ducked out to the shops and I wanted to share this story with you now.
I bumped into someone whom I’d not seen for several years. I had taught her Tai Chi 14 years ago when I was running a club near where I live.
Here’s how the conversation went.
‘Oh, hello, how are you? ‘ she said.
‘Good and how are you?’
‘Good. I just started Tai Chi again and I wanted to thank you for teaching me Tai Chi. I’m not any good at it but I really get a lot out of it. So thank you.’
It certainly is a good feeling when you get thanked and are appreciated for your efforts.
And I suppose it was the least I could do for her. After all, I was introduced to Tai Chi 24 years ago and I’ve got a tremendous amount out of it.
It’s something I’ve always appreciated and I feel obliged to introduce Tai Chi to as many people as possible.