When we think to relax there is a sense that we observe the process of relaxation from some place within ourselves. From this place of observation there seems to be a controller of the relaxation. The relaxation seems to take place somewhere else. It is as if there are two aspects to the action. Yet the 'controller' is not involved in the relaxation. In this way our relaxation could be limited because it is easy for the 'controller' or 'self' to be a source of holding and tension.
When Dr. Chi advised me to 'forget self' it had many applications and implications for practice and daily life. If we can forget self the experience of relaxation, for example, is total. There are no parts of our being that are left out. We are 'taken over' by the feeling of relaxation - it is all embracing.
If we forget self we can become one with our experience or with others. To complete the quote from Dr. Chi : 'forget self, become one with the tao.'
Bristol 7.03.09
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Squatting Single Whip
If you try to perform squatting single whip externally using ordinary strength you will require great effort and determination. If you use internal movement of force you will achieve the same results with less effort.
The posture begins with a sink towards the front foot whilst extending through the left hand. As mentioned before on this blog 'sinking' must be a total experience. By this I mean that we should not think to sink in one area of the body. Relaxing and melting the substantial in the upper body occurs throughout the whole of the upper body. Even at this early stage the legs also loosen and relax. At this stage it is possible to feel the substantial internal feeling moving downwards. To achieve a low stance it is important to follow this substantial movement. Not only this but we relax and follow the substantial. This way of sinking naturally brings the balance through the legs correctly and through the feet. The body is very stable and allows greater relaxation and deeper stance.
It is important to follow the force. In the lower position the force is directed forward and comes through the left arm to the fingers.
Many students are wary of squatting single whip and yet it is an opportunity to use internal force to open the legs and hip joints.
Bristol 7.03.09
The posture begins with a sink towards the front foot whilst extending through the left hand. As mentioned before on this blog 'sinking' must be a total experience. By this I mean that we should not think to sink in one area of the body. Relaxing and melting the substantial in the upper body occurs throughout the whole of the upper body. Even at this early stage the legs also loosen and relax. At this stage it is possible to feel the substantial internal feeling moving downwards. To achieve a low stance it is important to follow this substantial movement. Not only this but we relax and follow the substantial. This way of sinking naturally brings the balance through the legs correctly and through the feet. The body is very stable and allows greater relaxation and deeper stance.
It is important to follow the force. In the lower position the force is directed forward and comes through the left arm to the fingers.
Many students are wary of squatting single whip and yet it is an opportunity to use internal force to open the legs and hip joints.
Bristol 7.03.09
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Conditioning and learning to 'let go.'
When I studied with Dr. Chi at one time he advised that I think of myself as a master. When we think of ourselves as a student we have the idea that what we want to achieve is beyond where we are. When we think of ourselves as a master we relax into the attitude of valuing the experience as it is and we can let go of negative feelings about our experience of practice. We can recognise the value of our practice in the moment and this attitude increases the power of our effort.
Generally we don't need to distance ourselves from that which we want to cultivate. If you want to develop your relaxed state it is better to imagine you are already relaxed and allow the feeling to take you over. If you think to 'try to' relax you already separate yourself from the experience as if it is a quality that you need to aquire. The reality is that you are relaxed to a degree and that if you embrace that fact it is easier to allow it to increase.
We condition ourselves with our own ideas, we unconsciously accept the cultural ways and habits. We have been conditioned by our responses to past actions, by parents, friends and the environment. When we practise t'ai chi it is an encounter with 'natural.' It is unconditioned in its purity and yet we bring our own conditioning to the experience. When we think to 'let go' we are encouraging ourselves to see afresh and allow the experience of the encounter to present itself without too much pre-conditioning.
When we think of 'basic practice' we can think of it as being fundamental. All so-called advanced practises are based upon the 'basics' which we encounter even in the first lesson. Really the very basic practices are the most profound because ever experience of practice is dependent upon them. Understanding this interdependence of all the principles of t'ai chi can inspire us to be happy to always practise 'the basics.'
Generally we don't need to distance ourselves from that which we want to cultivate. If you want to develop your relaxed state it is better to imagine you are already relaxed and allow the feeling to take you over. If you think to 'try to' relax you already separate yourself from the experience as if it is a quality that you need to aquire. The reality is that you are relaxed to a degree and that if you embrace that fact it is easier to allow it to increase.
We condition ourselves with our own ideas, we unconsciously accept the cultural ways and habits. We have been conditioned by our responses to past actions, by parents, friends and the environment. When we practise t'ai chi it is an encounter with 'natural.' It is unconditioned in its purity and yet we bring our own conditioning to the experience. When we think to 'let go' we are encouraging ourselves to see afresh and allow the experience of the encounter to present itself without too much pre-conditioning.
When we think of 'basic practice' we can think of it as being fundamental. All so-called advanced practises are based upon the 'basics' which we encounter even in the first lesson. Really the very basic practices are the most profound because ever experience of practice is dependent upon them. Understanding this interdependence of all the principles of t'ai chi can inspire us to be happy to always practise 'the basics.'
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Deep stances in the sword form and squatting single whip
When going to a low positions the force is directed downwards when the body sinks. The legs must be relaxed and especially the hip joints. The downward force is achieved by emptying the upper body and following the force down. The force increases as it accumulates in the lower position.
The tailbone should be vertical. The forward knee in line with the foot, and the back leg is straight in the final position. Be wary of the lower forward leg leaning forward. This lower leg should be vertical.
For those people who spend a lot of time in a sitting position it is important to stretch the front part of the pelvis to allow the tail bone to go down to the vertical position. Deep stances in the sword form are useful to open the top leg joints.
The tailbone should be vertical. The forward knee in line with the foot, and the back leg is straight in the final position. Be wary of the lower forward leg leaning forward. This lower leg should be vertical.
For those people who spend a lot of time in a sitting position it is important to stretch the front part of the pelvis to allow the tail bone to go down to the vertical position. Deep stances in the sword form are useful to open the top leg joints.
Not much time to practise?
James writes... I want to get into the habit of doing some tai chi in the mornings, but mine are invariably hectic (toddlers, work etc.!). If I only have a few minutes, is it best to go through the form or just do some of the preparatory exercises (and, if so, which ones)?
It is good to do the first three preparations and then do some form if you are short of time.
Whatever you do try to cultivate a feeling that you have all day to do what you do. If you are thinking that you do not have much time when you are actually practising you will not be able to relax deeply. If you practise for fifteen minutes there is time to practise something very useful. Even ten minutes can be beneficial if you are wholehearted. Your practise is also a reminder to relax during the day and connect with yourself and others.
When I was working full time I got up early and practised. It was not long before I felt the benefit of this to the whole of my day.
Bristol 28.2.09
It is good to do the first three preparations and then do some form if you are short of time.
Whatever you do try to cultivate a feeling that you have all day to do what you do. If you are thinking that you do not have much time when you are actually practising you will not be able to relax deeply. If you practise for fifteen minutes there is time to practise something very useful. Even ten minutes can be beneficial if you are wholehearted. Your practise is also a reminder to relax during the day and connect with yourself and others.
When I was working full time I got up early and practised. It was not long before I felt the benefit of this to the whole of my day.
Bristol 28.2.09
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
How do you experience the effect of blinking whilst doing the form?
A student writes :
Soup to Water...
I have been practising not blinking and definately experience a break in 'something' when a blink occurs.
You described this as 'the feeling being like soup and then you blink and this feeling becomes like water'.
For me, the feeling was more as if the focus and connection was clear - like a tranquil flow of water with no eddies or waves... and then a blink... is almost like a drop of water or a pebble falling into this tranquil stream... causing ripples... and there is a slight 'downwards' feeling and the clarity is disturbed and takes a while to come back into focus and for the flow to continue smoothly again.
Soup to Water...
I have been practising not blinking and definately experience a break in 'something' when a blink occurs.
You described this as 'the feeling being like soup and then you blink and this feeling becomes like water'.
For me, the feeling was more as if the focus and connection was clear - like a tranquil flow of water with no eddies or waves... and then a blink... is almost like a drop of water or a pebble falling into this tranquil stream... causing ripples... and there is a slight 'downwards' feeling and the clarity is disturbed and takes a while to come back into focus and for the flow to continue smoothly again.
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