It's been a while since I've posted on this blog (or any other) with regularity, so I apologize for allowing myself to be distracted. Trust me when I tell you that it's all going to change rather dramatically in the not-too-distant future, so hang on for the ride and it'll be well worth it.
One of the main things we've been taking the time to focus in on lately is "ownership of movement". Ownership of a movement means that you can completely dictate the speed with which you execute the movement without strain or stress.
Strain or stress betray themselves in a few basic ways:
1. tensed or rigid muscles, especially further away from the areas creating the movement
2. elevated shoulders / hunched neck
3. shallow breathing
4. inability to change trajectory
In Tai-Chi terms for example, if you can take 10 seconds to put your foot out while making a step, yet keep perfect posture without excessive rigidity, keep your arms & neck in form while staying loose, and maintain a centered dantian breathing and relaxed/focused mind, YOU'VE GOT IT!
I know this is going to seem painfully repetitive, but I'm going to focus us all on walking drills and OWNERSHIP of Section 1 for a while. Many of you have been focused on improving your skill in Tai-Chi. While that's an admirable goal, please remember that skill improvement is far secondary to building, deepening, and strengthening your foundation.
Movements are going to get slower, straighter, more precise, and yet softer, more responsive, and more alive. I know it often feels like there are too many things to keep in mind with Tai-Chi practice - spine pulled up, hips under shoulders, breathing from the abdomen, foot placement, joint alignment, etc., etc....
Remember instead that any movement is like a line. A line, while it may seem like 1 object, is actually composed of countless little segments. We can control how those segments appear or align. And when we exercise that awareness and control, the lines we create are both unique and beautiful.
