Question : Is there a link between the full leg/foot and the opposing empty arm/hand? It seems to me that the hands and feet are linked together in some way which follows the yin yang principles, so in moves like push which hand controls the energy?
All parts of the body are linked with all other parts. Then in relation to the movement of dynamic forces through the body or t'ai chi force there a variety of ways that the forces can be moved through the body or enabled naturally through the feet and through the body.
These techniques are not easy to express through text alone. However, I will try to outline my understanding which I know to be incomplete.
In a posture such as brush left knee push. The right foot directs the force of the whole body coordination to the right hand. This is sometimes referred to as 'jin.' Simultaneously there is a rising force which is conducted through the hand with the mind intent and both feet are involved but especially the front foot. In addition there can be spiral forces enhanced by the lowering of the elbow during the act of pushing which rotates the right elbow. Rotation of the elbow is a common feature in the t'ai chi forms to enable the issuing of spiral force.
In a posture such as single whip the back foot is pushing the right hip forward directing a spiral force through the body, enhanced by the rotation of the left elbow and issued from the left hand. So this force is conducted diagonally through the body.
The wonderful principle which is expressed throughout t'ai chi and even in chinese medicine is that opposites create each other. So if I am receiving a force on my left which involves the process of emptying; I am also expressing a force on my right which is becoming more full. It important to understand the these are all active and dynamic movements. So many people use t'ai chi for relaxation and do not balance this yin aspect with the active yang aspect. For example the force of an opponent is received into the body on one side and is channelled through to the other side in many applications. The two sides seem to be different in the way that our mind labels them but the way that we feel and experience them is really as one circle which also includes the force of the other person which is returned to them. They are part of the circle.
It is worth contemplating the movement of these forces throughout the form.
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1 comment:
Dear Alan
Thank you for your insight into this question, the movements of internal energies within the body have been a source of frustration and amusement for many years.
As you suggest if one follows the basic principals of Tai Chi then things become clearer. It is easy to forget that the postures of the form are always reacting to changes in energy, as some energy is generated by your opponent then your form will react to this energy.
Your statement opposites create each other, reminds me of the interplay of yin and yang, when one becomes full one is truly empty.
Thank you again for reminding me of circles and how we take in energy and give it back.
Love
Scott
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