Mental Minefields

Tai chi is 5 % physical and 95% Mental, so here is an article from the Slanted Flying website about mental minefield.

The article can be read here

Loss and Gain

Small loss, small gain

Big loss, big gain

Shen Cph 5 loosening exercises

This is a long clip. Note the importance of the lumbar spine as the axis.

Double Pushing Hands

It is always interesting to push hands with people who don't do it your way. In this clip I'm working with a student of a friend and it was alien to him to try this version of double push hands.



When I have tried doing his methods I found it equally challenging at first. Yet all involve sticking, following, joining, adhering etc.



Principles in action as opposed to slavish form for the sake of it.

Tai chi Tuishou The secret of Pushing hands

Sleep

Sleep is an important aspect of your training. My late teacher John Kells had a special sleeping position in which he connected the lower tan tien to the bubbling well points.

Later he changed this to the thymus chakra and the bubbling well points.

The link below is from Devon Boormaster's blog on the importance of sleep.

http://devonboorman.com/the-importance-of-sleep-for-martial-artists/

The Best Psoas Release

This is a great clip. Very useful for those of us who have desk jobs. I recall reading that the Psoas actually strengthen whilst we're sitting at a desk and not stretching/releasing causes imbalance.