Chi – Page 4

Redirect the Chi

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

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

develop proper structural alignment and stance
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).

Yi leads the Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

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.

May The Chi Be With You

By Chris Leave a Comment

Well. almost another year wrapped up and it’s been a busy one.

Usually this time of the year I’m on holidays and wind down on my training and anything else that has to do with my schedule. I simply do what I feel like. No 5.55am starts, 2 to 3 sessions a day training (when I’m not lazy) and no guilty feelings about doing very little.

It’s a time to casually gather my Chi and reflect on my training, catch up on my Tai Chi reading and mentally plan for next year.

And usually I start to crank up the engine and start my training after the new year.

Until then may the chi be with you!

The Write Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

Recently I turned over a new leaf and my doona cover to get out of bed at 5.55am.

Yes, that’s a.m. not p.m.

Why?

Well, I’ve decided to finish my first draft of my screenplay and the early start is the only way I can achieve this.

The early start allows me to complete my 30 minute Chi Kung set, have breakfast and then do one of hour of writing before I start my paid job.

It also takes the pressure of trying to complete my 2-3 sessions of Chi Kung and Tai Chi throughout the day.

The Chi Kung set has been an enormous help for creative thinking and writing as it gets the chi to flow.

I think and feel better at that time of the morning and it also energises me at the same time.

It’s amazing what you can achieve when you practice the ‘write chi’.

Feeling Is Believing – Part 1

By Chris Leave a Comment

They say that ‘seeing is believing’ but in Tai Chi I’ve found that ‘feeling is believing’.

Whenever I run Tai Chi presentations I first demonstrate a skill and then get the participants to perform the skill.

Then I always ask ‘do you feel any specific sensation in your body’.

I never ask a questions like ‘do you feel the chi in your hands’ because that insinuates that they should be feeling something in their hands. A leading question such as this is biased and will not always get an honest answer due to politeness.

But asking a question such as ‘do you feel any specific sensation in your body’ is unbiased and usually I get one or more people saying they feel something and can describe where they feel it.

If they feel something then there is no need to try and convince someone in words.

Because feeling is believing.