Focus In The Soles Of The Feet

Anyone learning T’ai Chi Chih will see and hear the title words of this article in Justin Stone’s instructional materials, and hopefully also from his or her instructors.

Justin has explained how doing this after each set of movements balances the yin and yangChi. We are told that focusing in the soles of the feet also helps to keep the mind from wandering. A well-known Eastern saying states, “The one who keeps their concentration on the soles of the feet will heal a thousand ills.” Quoting the originator in Spiritual Odyssey, “The root of T’ai Chi Chih is awareness” … “the Essence of T’ai Chi Chih.”

I have found that there are specific ways that we can focus on the soles of the feet during our movement as well (not only when we “come to a graceful conclusion” … ”come to rest”). One specific awareness can be very helpful in moving correctly, improving balance and completing the weight shift. I refer to the imagining of coins placed under the soles of the feet (in this example, three).

I recommend trying out this idea that there are three dimes placed under each foot: two at the widest part of the front of the foot (the two contact points just behind the toes that are often referred to as the balls of the feet), and one under the center of each heel.

On both the forward-and-backward and side-to-side weight shifts, as the knee finishes bending (or softening/flexing) and the weight has arrived on that leg, feel how the weight is distributed on the sole of the foot. Is the weight more on one side of the foot than other or more forward on the front of the foot than on the heel?

I believe that if our feet are correctly placed, the pelvis will arrive directly over the foot at a center of gravity on the leg, so that the weight feels equal on all of the three coins, or contact points, somewhat like a tripod, while the ankle and toes are completely relaxed.

When the weight does not feel evenly distributed on these three points, one’s stance might be too wide or too long, or the torso may be leaning, or the knees bending too much, or not enough. The point is that this awareness has a great potential to help teach us TCC.