Maintain a Sense of Equilibrium with the Earth

Taijiquan Quote of the Week

“Maintain a physical and psychological sense of equilibrium in relation to the Earth (i.e., a sense of being ‘grounded’); never commit yourself fully — always have in mind the possibility of retreating if you advance or of advancing if you retreat.”

—Power Taiji

No doubt: one should strive for Earthy equilibrium in daily life, not just in Taijiquan. Stand, sit, lie down: you ought to always know where that darned Earth is. And I think we can fully commit to sinking weight into the Earth. The trick is not over committing by avoiding plunking or falling forward.

An easy way to think of it in Taijiquan: reach your leg forward, place it gently, then pull your weight in to your foot. This makes it easy to change direction. You can use gravity instead of being victim or subject to it.

Once you get it in Taiji, do the same in daily life.

posted: 4 March 2010 by author: S.Smith
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