Taichi Tips

"Inhaling Makes You Heavy…"

Written by Reid Shapiro

Most of us have heard by now that, “inhaling makes you heavy, and exhaling makes you light.” How many of us have had the time and/or the inclination to gain some understanding of why that is, and what it means?
If I asked one of our tai chi classes, “When inhaling makes you heavy, is it because you are becoming more yin, or more yang?”, I’m sure that most students would correctly answer, “More yin.” But if I asked the same class to give me a basic understanding of kan and li, I’m guessing I’d be met with a lot of blank stares.

The Flow of Discovery

Written by Peter Robinson

I stand.  Straighten my body.  I feel the spot at the top of my head that tingles, that feels different.  I imagine the string we so often talk about, gently lifting from it.  My neck grows longer, stretches.  I feel the spaces between my spine extend and expand.  Tiny muscles let go, and my neck aligns, this same process moving down my back.  Sometimes, I hear the click-click-click of vertebrae popping into place.  It’s taken me a long time to get to the point where just by intent, I can make things move like this.

Repetition is the mother of insight

Written by Paige Olsen

"Repetition is the mother of insight."
-Scott Blossom in "The Spirit of a Daily Practice"

"Great understanding is broad and unhurried, little
understanding is cramped and busy."
-Chuang Tzu, Basic Writings

"Less talk and more drill."
-Master Zi

This month's tai chi tip is not about a specific movement but rather a concept familiar to us all. What is the difference between a master and his/her student? Time, cultivation, endurance, insight. How do these attributes arise? Patience, repetition and persistence. Uh oh, did I say repetition? Yes... repetition IS the mother of insight.

FOUR SHORTCUTS TO BETTER TAI CHI!!!

Written by Rob Hoffman

You mean after all these years (or months), you're finally going to find out that there are shortcuts to better Tai Chi?

FIND YOUR SPIRIT

Written by Peter Robinson 

Your mind will fail you.  At some point it will cry out demanding for failure.

Your body will fail you.  At some point, it will cry out demanding for release. 

When mind and body fail you, there is only one thing which can make you persevere:  your spirit.   The spirit will hold you up when all else fails.  And so the wise man welcomes adversity, for in adversity, there is the opportunity to identify and recognize the spirit. 

Adversity is the great mill, the crucible, that which separates.  When the mind and body are gone, look to what is left.  And you will find your greatest of treasures. 

HARMONY AND BALANCE

Written by Peter Robinson

Harmony and Balance are two different things.

Balance is created when two things of equal and opposite weight exist at opposite ends of an equally long lever.  Balance is an artificial state, because it implies stasis.  Nothing can remain in balance for long, because the world is constantly shifting.  As the Buddha said “All things are impermanent.”  In other words, all things change.

Why Push Hands?

Written by Nisha Rodrigo

This month, Shakti’s Elements will be holding the second Push Hands Workshop in a series of five. Lately, many of you are questioning whether to take on one more workshop? I know you are asking yourself, “Should I add one more piece to my practice? And if so…why push hands?” Good Question.

One part class, two parts practice

Written by Peter Robinson

Stephen Bosco once told me his formula for success: one part class, two parts practice.  That is to say, Stephen explained that for every time he comes to class, he spends at least two times on his own, practicing what he's learned in class. 

As he explained, class is where you learn, but practice is where you Get It.  If you only come to class once or twice a week, that's probably not enough to fully absorb what you've learned.  Practice, practice, practice.  Make it your own.

What's that formula again?  One part class, two parts practice.

The Danger of Knowledge

Written by Peter Robinson

It may seem intrinsically wrong to say that knowledge can be dangerous, after all, isn't our study and path about the accumulation of knowledge? And yet, and I say this with a deep personal understanding, as this is one of my own particular flaws, in a way knowledge can be a real distraction from our growth.

I know, I know, it just seems wrong to say it, but bear with me for a moment.

The Application of Wisdom

Written by Peter Robinson

There is a process to what we do in class:

First, our teacher demonstrates. He sets a standard, something for us to aspire to.

Then, we imitate. At first, our imitation is flawed, rough, clumsy, almost a parody of what we have seen. But with a few corrections and adjustments, we find a semblance of the form.

Then we drill. We repeat the form over and over again, cleaning our movements up, making them richer, fuller, and learning to work with energy, and not with muscle. As the drill starts to make the moves become real.

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