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You are here: Home / Archives for Rooting

Redirect the Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

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).

Filed Under: Chi Kung, For Beginners, Forms, Wu Style Tai Chi Tagged With: Chi, Redirection, Rooting, Self defence, skill, stance, Tai Chi, Technique

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