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Slow Arms Tai Chi

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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.

Push Or Shove Tai Chi

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One of the techniques I practice each day is the ‘push.’

And there is a difference between a push and a shove when it comes to Tai Chi.

In the Tai Chi Chuan Treatise by Chang San Feng there is a line ‘…. if there is a front  there is a back’  (‘When attacking or defending on one side, you must be aware of the other side’).

Here’s my interpretation of this in regards to a push.

When you are pushing an opponent forward be aware of the reverse direction.

Try this concept on a punching bag.

Hold your arms out in front of you, elbows bent and push the bag and see what happens.

If upon contact the bag swings away from you  then you are shoving and not pushing because you have not paid attention to ‘the other side’ i.e. the reverse direction.

Now try it again by focusing on the reverse direction while you are pushing forward.

If the bag hardly moves then you are correctly pushing and not just shoving.

It took me many attempts to get to a basic skill level.

It’s not easy, have a go and let me know what happens.

Footnote: Quote from Dr Yang Jwing-Ming Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Vol. 1

Inner Smile

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The inner smile is an effective way of reducing tension in the body and the face.

I use a simplified version of the  ‘inner smile’ technique as part of my training.

It can be done either sitting or standing.

Here’s how to to do it;

  • align your body correctly
  • breathe slowly and deeply
  • slightly raise the corners of your mouth to form a smile
  • guide the chi (energy) from the smile to any tense areas of the body or face
  • Feel the chi dissolve any tension

The benefits of the inner smile are;

  • in training – stops you from grimacing which can lead to tension and poor performance of your skills
  • in general – makes you feel good and sends out good chi to people you commincate with

So don’t forget, put a smile on your dial with your inner smile!

Source: Tai Chi tip #9

Underwater Tai Chi

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When you are practicing your Tai Chi form imagine you are underwater.

But make sure your head is above water!

I’ve found that using this visualisation technique slows my movements down alot. Especially if I am in a rushed mood when practicing Tai Chi.

I also get a deeper sense of Chi flowing through my body.

Here’s how to do it;

  • Relax you body
  • Imagine you are standing in water up to your neck
  • Start your form
  • Feel the slight resistance of the water as you move

If you decide to use this technique let me know how it feels.

Footnote: Source –  Tai Tips #10