Around The Platter Variation – Polarity Within Circularity

BY MEG SCINTO, RINGWOOD, NJ

I ask students rub their palms together briskly and then separate them slightly to feel the unseen and ever present energy field within them. This opens up students to the concept of feeling and holding energy between the palms of their own hands. To begin teaching the movement I demonstrate it a few times on the left and right. I then have students do the arm movements separately while keeping the lower body still, having learned this method from Sr. Antonia.

Left side: bring the hands up to heart level, palms facing the earth, relaxing your hands and fingers. Rotate the wrists and hands upward and as the palms face each other (hands slightly cupped), form a ball as the hands travel toward – but not completely to – the left shoulder. Think of the ball as a small balloon you hold lightly. (This is where the polarity is, between the cupped palms). As you carry the ball the arms naturally come forward with the forward weight shift. Carry the ball until the hands are at center, coinciding with the end of the forward weight shift. Gently release the ball at heart level allowing the palms to face the earth while they complete the circle during the backward weight shift. As the hands come back to center, repeat the above. Do this a few times to the left and right.

It is now time to incorporate yinning and yanning. From the resting pose, sink your knees slightly, transfer your weight to the right leg, stepping out with your left heel while bringing the arms up to heart level. And as you begin to flow forward from the T’an T’ien (relaxing the left knee), form a ball with the palms of your hands carrying the ball in the direction of your left shoulder. Maintain forward movement in unison with the weight shift. Release the ball at center and at heart level, returning in the backward weight shift with “platter hands.” As the hands come back to center, begin to rotate the wrists and hands to form the ball with the ensuing weight shift. Do nine repetitions on the right and left.

With this movement I notice more synchronizing of the arms and weight shift that wasn’t there in Around the Platter (ATP). Forming the ball and carrying the ball until releasing it seems to have an added benefit: arm movements slow down, becoming more in sync with the weight shift. Although this may be unconscious, in a beginners’ class, this is a big deal and provides a concrete reference – in all movements the arms follow the weight shift and do not act independently.

I ask students if they experience a feeling of increased Chi or perhaps an awareness of Chi that they hadn’t had before. Many experience the physical sensation of energy for the first time in ATPV. I also emphasize that the polarity between the palms is the most important part.

I offer constant reminders to keep the fingertips pointed upward and to maintain the shape of the ball until preparing to release it at center. Don’t be in a hurry to let go of it. Keep your soft wrists at all times. There is a slight tendency to lean the upper body forward as your arms are in front of you. Coming back to basics, remember that the upper body is still, and that once you have stepped out with your extended leg and flow forward from their T’an T’ien, your arms should only extend to the space in front of you so that you move with a relaxed, and not a straight, arm. Move the arms as though moving through thick air, or move them as though they are submerged in water. Don’t forget to breathe while concentrating. And now, let’s smile before the next movement!

On a personal note: Ever since first viewing Carmen Brocklehurst’s video, I have been mindful of the analogy she expressed, that “in life, we pick things up, we carry them for a while, and then we let them go.” During this holiday season I was conscious of that as I did my practice (and this movement in particular). With so many things bearing down on us–which perhaps leads to angst or stress – her words were a perfect reminder. Focus on what is important; find the balance between what we can accomplish; let go of what isn’t necessary to maintain peace and harmony. It also allowed me the time and willingness to write this for The Vital Force. With TCC as my tool and Chi as my vital force, how could I say no? Much gratitude, Justin, for your gift of T’ai Chi Chih.