I am really so passionate about Tai Chi that I’d like everyone I meet to give it a try! And sometimes I need to tell my students so many details so that they don’t miss too much of the depth of Tai Chi; this can be overwhelming but I keep repeating they don’t need to remember every detail right now,  just be aware of that.

Reminder of what we reviewed in this lesson

I emphasized the differences in arms’ moves between “Parting The Wild Horse’s Mane” and “Ward Off” stances and reviewed the martial applications involved.

We then broke down “Grasp the Bird’s Tail” stance into any single move, standing on a half stance  until our thighs soared!

This stance is a very good example of how the moves of the arms raise the chi from its original  position in the tan-t’ien up to the navel and back down to tan-t’ien, and this happens several times, having the chi circulate your whole body and increase internal energy. This is believed also to prevent many illnesses, accordingly to the main principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

We reviewed “Brush Knee”, practiced “Eight Style” and introduced “Playing the Lute” in “24 Yang Style”.

At the end of the lesson my students were willing to practice a very short Kung Fu form, accompanied by a very martial Chinese music! We had a lot fun, punching and shouting and releasing so much energy!

We’ll keep practicing some Kung Fu, that helps in keeping in mind that Tai Chi is the internalization of Kung Fu.

It’s so  rewarding to see my students make such good progresses! Now “Cloud Hands” look much smoother and natural, and the walk as well!

This morning I was talking with a friend I practice Tai Chi with and she told me that she feels now that she got to a “plateau”, a place where nothing seems to happen, no matter if you keep on practicing. That may sound harsh but Tai Chi really challenges you, asking for so much perseverance and discipline and humbleness!

It’s not true, though, that nothing happens: the body is storing memories of the moves in its muscles and these memories wil be permanent. Your body, as a whole, physically and mentally, will remember the form, even if you don’t consciously think about it.

It occurred to me that I found myself ending the form without being mentally present at that time, my body did it: I think this is a real integration of body and mind.

After this phase, during which you store the sequence of the moves, a second one comes: the phase in which your body understands how the energy circulates. During this phase you build up your internal energy dramatically.

Third phase: you are suppose to be able to show your real true, your spirit…!

Reminder of the last lesson

We broke down “Cloud Hands”, studying the arms’ moves separately from the legs’ move. The  effect of chest rotation on arms’ moves was stressed out.

We talked about the importance of having the tongue against the roof of the palate, so that everything flows more natural and smooth. This happens actually because , accordingly to the principles of Chinese Traditional Medicine, the tongue creates the bridge between the Tu Mo (Channel of control)  and the Jen Mo (channel of function), perhaps the two most important psychic channels.

We reviewed the beginning of 24 Yang and we studied “White Crane Spreads Its Wings”.

Next lesson

We’ll go further on on 24 Yang: “Brush Knee” and “Playing The Lute”.

“Drop all your thoughts and your shoulders, relax and keep breathing naturally: Qi will flow in your body “: maybe my students are tired to listen to these words but they really represent the true essence of Tai Chi!

This morning we reviewed “Grasp the Sparrow Tail” again , breaking down all the moves. Together with “Clouds Hands”, this stance seems to be the harder one.

We also thoroughly examined the closing of the form, “Embrace the Tiger”.

When we practiced the walk, at the end we added the “Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane” hands: This is the beginning of the “24 yang style” form. And together with “Brush Knee” , now my students know the first minute (out of six), of the “24 yang style” form.

Next lesson

We’ll start examining the beginning of the “24 yang style”.

We’ll review “Cloud Hands” and “Eight Style”, of course.

“Qi is free, it is everywhere, and everyone has direct access to it through simple methods that are easy to learn and practice. Qi can be cultivated purposefully to resolve any challenge or enhance any function”. (The healing promise of Qi, by Roger Jahnke, 2002)

See you next week!

Today I was so pleased to see the improvements of my students! The walk is much smoother now and the balance pretty consistent and enhanced!

During the walk we stressed the importance of alternating the  expansion of the chest, when extending the back leg, with  tucking in the tail bone when we step forward and shift the body weight back. This alternating process is the eternal transformation of “yin” (tucking in) into  “yang” (chest expansion) into “yin” again.

Afterward we practiced “eight style”, reviewing step by step “Ward Off” stance.

At the end of the lesson I performed “24 Yang Style” which will be the subject of our  practice during the next five lessons. We talked about how Tai Chi Masters and disciples developed the formes watching and studying the animals’ moves. It was common for exercise methods to include movements adapted from those of animals. There are several examples of these movements such as Bring the Tiger to the Mountain, Snake Creeps Down Through the Grass, Step back and Repulse Monkey, White Crane Spreads Wings, Golden Cock on One Leg, etc…The function of these movements is to help guide the breathing and the energy circulation through the body.

We’ll  review the “Heel Kicking” and “Embrace the Tiger”  next lesson and I’ll introduce the Standing Meditation’s technique.

I felt so rewarded today when I saw all my students at the studio, willing to practice Tai chi, despite the gorgeous weather outside! That motivated me even more!

Today lesson’s reminder

We warmed up and stretched as usually doing some Qi Kong exercises and “Tenzan Lenko” style.

After that we practiced the walk, emphasizing how hips’ and heels’ moves are interrelated when you shift body weight and step forward. Also  spine moves were examined when stepping forward and  shifting body weight on the back leg.

A question had been asked: “Will we keep always this speed? Are we going to be faster?”. Actually we will be a little bit faster, so far we kept the current speed on purpose, to better understand all the moves and the transitions involved.

We reviewed the opening of the form (“Lifting Water”) and “Clouds hands”, together with the martial applications.

After that we practiced “Eight Style” twice and then we ended the lesson meditating and breathing in and out on a horse stance.

Next lesson

We’ll be reviewing “Eight Style,  “Heel Kick” stance and “Embrace The Tiger” stance (closing of the form).

At the end of the lesson I will be performing “24 Yang Style” wich will be the next form we are going to study.

“The breath is the most powerful tool for gathering, circulating, purifying and directing Qi” (The healing promise of Qi”, Roger Jahnke, 2002).

See you in two weeks!

Today everyone was very committed and focused. I could perceived a higher degree of relaxation and awareness! The class is beginning to feel how the energy moves through the body and to breathe correctly.

Today’s lesson remainder

After the preliminary stretch and warm up, we reviewed the basic concepts about the Tai Chi’s walk: how to switch the weight from one leg to the other, how to move the upper body, following  straight and diagonal directions, how to coordinate back and front leg, how to align feet.

Then we examined “Grasp Sparrow’s Tail” step by step, focusing on the martial meaning of arms’ and hands’ moves: we talked about “yin” and “yang” palm and how effective the coordination between the pushing hands and the back leg is for body stability.

After that we practiced “Eighteen Style” twice and we stretched at the end of the lesson.

Next lesson

We’ll be reviewing “Cloud Hands” and the opening of the form.

I look forward to seeing you all next lesson!

Today’lesson was really active and interesting, some of you made interesting questions and I believe this creates a more interactive and aware attitude towards the practice. Please, keep on asking questions!

Reminder for this lesson

We warmed up and stretched. Afterword we practiced the Tai Chi walk emphasizing the breathing: inhaling and exhaling properly helps to release stress and increases focusing skills.

“…Breathe slowly through the nose, directing the mind and breath and vitality back down to the abdomen. As the body resumes a calmer state, the mind experiences uncommon serenity…” (Da Liu, Tai Chi Ch’uan and Meditation).

The martial application of “Brush Knee” was examined, as well as the “Yin and Yang palm”, as a tool to apply leverage on the opponent’s arm.

Next lesson

We’ll keep on practicing “Eight style’ and the “Grasp the Sparrow”s Tail” stance will be examined step by step.

Looking forward to practicing together next Friday!