Expansion and Contraction

One of the things I love about T’ai Chi Chih is the opportunity for never ending exploration. While the movements are often touted as being “simple to learn,” I find TCC is anything but simple should one choose to explore its depths. Once we have explored how the body and hands move, how the weight shift happens, the tan t’ien and how all parts of the body move together, there are ideas/concepts/feelings to explore. Take one concept and see how it is entwined in TCC, and how that awareness may apply to our everyday lives.

For example, explore patience. Many years ago there was a fine article written by Ed Altman regarding patience in our practice. Are we patient for the weight shift to complete before returning the other direction; for the wrists to move integrated with the arm movement and not independently; to feel our way through the practice rather than doing the movements? Do we allow the movements to unfold in their own timing? And are we patience in the rest? As we examine patience in our practice, connections cannot help but be seen in our everyday lives. Examining our practice is a way to examine ourselves.

A concept I am just beginning to explore is expansion and contraction. Where do I find expansion in the physical form? In the forward weight shift looking at the back leg, the back of the knee is expanding as we move forward and contracting as we move back. The front knee moves conversely. Awareness of this may help the back leg to straighten all the way as the weight is shifted forward. Pointing out contraction and especially the expansion of the front ankle in the front/back weight shift can bring awareness to someone who may be lifting their foot to high. Awareness of the expansion and contraction in the elbows may help someone to see if they are making movements too small. Contraction and expansion of the waist is small but very important during a weight shift if the body is to remain upright, with the shoulders in line over the hips.

What about the movements as a whole? When/where do they have a feeling of expansion and contraction? Do all movements have this? As we practice TCC how does the expansion and contraction express itself? If we are expanding our understanding of TCC, is there or where/what is the contraction?

At the end of a TCC practice focused on expansion and contraction, one student commented that she felt more fluid in her movements and more grounded, more sure of herself. I asked if there a contraction of something, and after some reflection she responded, FEAR. What discoveries await you from exploring expansion and contraction?