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Redirect the Chi

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In Tai Chi language ‘rooting’ is the ability to connect yourself to the earth.

It’s an important skill to develop for two reasons;

  1. develop proper structural alignment and stance
  2. to redirect someone’s force against you

Let’s look at the redirection aspect.

Practicing with a partner is ideal but if this is not possible then a punching bag is a good substitute.

Here’s how I do it.

I align myself in an empty stance (one foot forward – the majority of the weight on my back foot) – in front of my punching bag.

Then I slightly push the bag forward with both hands and hold that position for a few seconds.  As I feel the resistance of the bag I relax my shoulders and elbows and redirect the force into my hands, arms, shoulders, spine, legs and into the ground.

Then I change feet and work the other side of the body.

You can do this exercise with any of the postures but I suggest you start with this simple exercise so you can learn easier.

Relaxation and proper alignment are the keys to correct ‘rooting’ and redirection of an opppent’s force (Chi).

Tai Chi: Arrow Visualisation

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In a previous post Tai Chi: Reverse Thinking I discussed a way of adding depth to your Tai Chi form by thinking in the reverse way of the direction you are moving.

Yesterday I was perfoming the Tai Chi from in my garden and a thought flashed through my mind of how you could use a visualisation technique to help you with reverse thinking.

As I moved throughout the form I imagined arrows shooting out the reverse direction I was moving. Just like arrows you see in a book indicating which way to move.

Only in this case  the arrows were shooting out in the opposite direction.

For example, when I moved my arms up I visualised these arrows shooting out of my arm downwards. This focused my attention in the opposite way I was going and I certainly felt  a slight resistance which added to a more balanced and connected form.

The arrow visualisation technique is a good method in taking your Tai Chi form to the next level.

Yi leads the Chi

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In Tai Chi the Yi (mind) leads the Chi (energy).

In other words, when you are doing your form your mind which involves your attention and intention should  initiate a  movement.

Using this concept avoids the problem of moving from posture to posture aimlessly. And if you move without the Yi leading the Chi then you are not doing Tai Chi.

If your mind does wander which is a natural occurence for beginners – focus on your dan tien. This will allow you to become centred again and also makes it easier for your Yi to lead the Chi.

Try this concept the next time you do your form and let me know how it feels.

Rainy Day Tai Chi

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It’s been raining for the past few days here so I haven’t had a chance to practice my Tai Chi form outside.

Today I’ll practice the form indoors.

The difficulty is that I’ve haven’t enough clear space to practice the entire form continously.

So rather than miss out on my scheduled training session I’ll go to Plan B.

Plan B in this case is to perform the form in a stop start manner without focusing on continous movement.

For each point of the form I stop and hold the posture for 5 seconds. Then go to the next point.

For example, let’s look at the opening posture.

  • Raise arms up – stop
  • bend elbows – stop
  • lower hands – stop

Because of the weather conditions this is a good alternative than not practicing at all.

So, don’t let rainy days stop you from practicing.

Adapt and keep practicing!