Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Advanced Tai Chi and Eye Therapy

When we begin studying Great Extremes Boxing, we fixate on learning forms and sequences, on remembering strange things and foreign ideas, and on trying to relax. It’s a giant task, coordinating internal arts, but when relaxation begins to wake awareness, both remembering and learning begin to flow, and motions grow more subtle, more profound.

Move the eyes. After we get Tai Chi form basics, one subtle motion we search for is eye-motions. Some movements in the form direct us to hook the eyes on a distant object and, as our body turns left and right, leave the eyes floating inside the head; this is the way Ward-Off works. In another movement we lead with the eyes: eyes turn to the West, then the body follows as in Single Whip. Repulse Monkey teaches the eyes a deeper kind of peripheral vision by directing the mind to both hands, while those hands are on the edges of vision.

Eyes soften. The continuous, waving motions in the eyes, from pose to pose throughout the form, draws a sensual ease and relaxation into the eyes and face, head and neck, and relaxation spreads throughout the body. For some, like me, vision improves. My vision moved from 20/80 to 20/30 over an 8 year span. What began as softening my face led to relaxing my whole spine and, one day, all of a sudden—Pah!—I could see crystal-clear.

At a fairly sophisticated level, the Tai Chi Chuan Long Form reflects treatment protocols revealed by Francine Shapiro in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures, 2nd Edition. EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy method “designed to maximize treatment effects.” Although some skeptics perceive EMDR as an alternative therapy, studies continue to display great successes for EMDR. Its success sparkles, particularly in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and intense, trauma-derived mental health issues.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing’s therapeutic phases outline a clever and comprehensive strategy for healing deep wounds, and the methodologies suggest applications that we can use for developing and deepening Great Extremes Boxing, both as a martial art and healing art.

EMDR Phases reflect Taijiquan Development

• One—Intake in EMDR mirrors Taijiquan intake where instructors accept clients and clients accept instructors. In Phase One, clients and instructors assess possible target areas for client development, including, but not limited to, increasing health, decreasing residual tensions, and developing self-defense capacities.
• Two and Three—Preparation and Assessment—resemble the stages in Taijiquan where one learns the forms and movement interactions (like pushing hands and combat drills) while collecting feedback from instructors and training partners
• Phases 4,5,6,7—Desensitization, Installation, Body Scan, and Closure—these collective phases suggest advanced Taiji work, this is where we discover and uncover eye movement patterns that expand awareness, hone attention, and deepen sophistication of motions
• Eight—Reevaluation—similar to assessment, reevaluation continues the process and integration of Taijiquan

Softening Eyes ~ Qigong Eyes

Standing Qigong prepares the bedrock of Taijiquan. It offers opportunities to assess sources of pain and dysfunction. It positions our height; it offers time and space to learn and integrate postural principles. Qigong inspires stillness. In Qigong, soften the eyes. We watch our environment, softly. Gather information from the edges of sight and allow the whole vista to sink in.

Here note that outdoor practice is superior to indoor, in the simple sense that your view of your world will be larger, more complex, and more beautiful. More room to soften, to expand into space with soft eyes…soft inspires stillness, and stillness expires tension. Qigong preparations us to let go tension and discomfort.

Because Tai Chi eventually develops into a long, Qigong, moving meditation, spend time learning a long form. Time deepens and develops this internal art, and a long form is essential. It takes longer to learn, to be certain, but once you have it you get a 13-40 minute moving meditation; short forms will never do justice to deep, integrative, therapeutic movement. Learn a long form: Do it. Do it.

Peripheral Visions ~ Combat Desensitization

In the midst of fight training, throughout our practice, we examine peripheral vision and its applications to relaxation. We eliminate visual fixation. We never stare at the opponent; keeping him our field of vision, never focusing directly on him. This detachment from fixating on opponents frees the mind to watch movement minutia.

A honed and advanced peripheral vision we call Eagle Vision, because it’s the way an eagle watches prey. For that matter, it’s the way predators watch prey: your cat or dog uses this kind of seeing too. It’s what the classics mean by look left, gaze right: we put our eyes on one thing, while we gaze off, focusing the mind on the shape of something else.

This sensual kind of seeing deepens and extends relaxation possibilities and coping methods. It desensitizes and frees the body from reacting to stressors and FEAR—False Evidence that Appears Real. We begin to respond to real stimuli and real motion, not emotionally loaded concerns. Proper responses develop and enhance timing, balance, and coordination.

Eyes Lead on the Swaying Sea of Relaxation

Eyes-leading movements flow, through the long, Yang Lu-Ch’an Form, from Single Whip → Spear Fingers → Double Dragon Palms → Reverse Dragon Hands → Fa-Jing! Just like an EMDR treatment, the eyes move back and forth, back and forth, swaying, leading the body deeper into the throes of relaxing Sung.

Many movement sections of the form mock this eyes-swaying sensation. Such pieces correspond quite closely to EMDR’s methods of processing memories and trauma, desensitizing the affects of trauma and injury, reprocessing and healing life events into the whole organism.

Tai Chi Chuan, in its moderately advanced stages, heals. Try it.