Forms – Page 6

Kitchen Clock Tai Chi

After this morning’s Tai Chi hands form practice it’s time to get out my electronic kitchen clock.

I’ve noticed my time for completing the long form varies according to when I practice. Afternoon sessions are shorter than a morning session. Usually I complete the form between 15-20 minutes. More often closer to the 15 minute mark.

I need to get some consistency in my form practice so for the next few sessions I’ll use my little kitchen clock timer and focus on building the duration of the form to 20 minutes. And I’ll record each form session to achieve may target.

It’s easy to speed through the long form in say 12 minutes which is not a good workout. In the past the kitchen clock has slowed me down because I’m aware I’m timing myself.

When I develop a consistent 20 minute workout I’ll put the kitchen clock back where it belongs.

In the kitchen!

Spear Form – Strength Training Tip

By Chris Leave a Comment

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.

Tai Chi Form: Reverse Thinking

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;

right think left

left think right

up think down

down think up

expand think contract

contract think expand

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.

Yellow Dot Tai Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

Here’s a good way of making sure your body is centred when facing forward.

Buy a yellow stick-on-dot from a stationary store. They’re usually sold in packets and are about the size of a five or ten cent coin.

Why a yellow dot? Because it stands out against a black ‘t’ shirt or dark coloured top. If you wear a light coloured top then find a coloured dot that stands out.

Stick it on your ‘t’ shirt where your belly button is located.

Now practice your techinque, e.g. brush knee, twist step, in front of a mirror. At the end of the posture look at your reflection in the mirror and see which direction the yellow stick-on-dot is facing.

If it’s facing on an angle then you are not centred.

If you are a teacher of Tai Chi why not try this method in class. Apart from its novelty value it will give students a visual cue to see if they are centred and facing the correct direction.

Oh, by the way, when you finish practice make sure you take it off because it will look a bit weird walking down the street with a yellow dot on your belly button.

Slow Arms Tai Chi

By Chris 2 Comments

Sometimes I lose focus and speed up the form. A 15-20 minute workout suddenly becomes a 10-12 minute sprint.

This happens occassionaly when I’ve been busy working and then rush out into the garden to fit in my Tai Chi training.

I’m in more of a speed mode and to slow things down I concentrate on slowing my arm movements which then slows the body and leg movements.

It’s not pure Tai Chi, as the objective is to flow into the form without thinking. You just do and the form takes care of it self.

But it is a good technique on occassions when I’m distracted and need to slow the form down.

So if you are in a rush and you do want something of a Tai Chi workout, slow your arms down.