Real Taijiquan

When imagining being attacked by vicious predators or crazy perpetrators, the intention is not to stimulate violence. It’s to prepare for peace.

Imagining attackers prepares a body and nervous system for proper responses. It stimulates survival mechanisms. It offers an exacting study of reflexive tendencies and habitual movement patterns. It provides opportunities to discover where one holds unnecessary tension that might obstruct or confine fluid, flowing motions.

Begin by getting the motions correct, and then move on to images that are less horrific. Here’s why practicing outdoors brings new refreshment:

one might imagine offering breath or energy to trees, people, hills, mountains, or distant horizons.

At this stage the body sinks into the ground a little more and the reach extends. The eyes also move from looking down and inward to exploring the real world, looking toward vast vistas.

Taijiquan becomes an act of peace as long as its roots are sturdy.

Mother’s Day was designed to stimulate peace too.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Go see the Mother’s Day Exquisite Taiji Offering at Integral Grace.

Taijiquan Quote of the Week

“The fingers should be straight but not stiff. The palms are relaxed and slightly hollowed while holding the Tile Palm Hand.”

—Power Taiji

While there are several shapes that the hands form into during the form, this is the primary one. Feel energy in your palms. Tile Palm Hand is alive (yang) and relaxed (yin) all at once.