Cook Ding's Kitchen: Learning Taijiquan Through the Process of Body Mec...

Cook Ding's Kitchen: Learning Taijiquan Through the Process of Body Mec...: Below is an excerpt from a post that appeared at Thoughts on Tai Chi . The full post may be read here. When you start learning Tai Chi, ...

Video Blog Sep 19 Are You Here?

Cook Ding's Kitchen: Mental Traps in Taijiquan Practice

Cook Ding's Kitchen: Mental Traps in Taijiquan Practice: "Stop setting snares for yourself. Relax and see where it takes you." - Daoist Drinking Song Below is an excerpt from an excel...

An Introduction to Systema Breathing

An Ad Hoc Post

Had an enquiry recently about coming to a class, but on an ad hoc basis.

Sadly no as a commitment is required.

Hmm.. wonder how it would work with jobs, relationships etc.

Upper and Lower

You can read about upper and lower coordinating in tai chi.

Usually this refers to the body and the legs.

But you might also pay attention to the middle dantien coordinating with the lower dantien - the heart centre with the belly.

In my own practise with students I have found the heart centre to be the prime mover, not the lower dantien. It is more immediate and dynamic. The impulse comes from there and combines with the lower dantien accompanied by sinking and turning which in turn produces spirals. It doesn't mean to collapse the torso though. To me this actualises the imagery of the dragon body.

To move from the lower dantien alone seems to be too slow and leaves you stuck in the upper body.

Attachment

In two person interaction there can be no thought of mind in dantien.

This is attachment to self.

This is the way to death.