Close & Hold, Or Close & Relax?

I would like to continue a conversation started by trainer, Daniel Pienciak, at the conference, regarding how we stand and hold our bodies between movements. This issue has been on my mind for a few years now, and I haven’t been sure how and when to raise it. I have no wish to incite division in the community, but the division in practice already exists. I believe we should have an honest and open discussion about it.

The complete T’ai Chi Chih practice consists of 19 movements and one pose. (In the TCC Textbook Introduction, Justin refers to the entire TCC practice as a “form” and also refers to the separate movements as “forms.”) We conclude each form by bending the knees (really bending them, not just softening them). We hold our arms loosely next to the torso with elbows softly bent, and wrists gently flexed, and with hands next to our hips (palms facing the ground). I have always known this position as “the close.” In the textbook, Justin alternately refers to it as the “closing position” or “closing posture” and the “rest position.” It is not designated as a formal pose. There is only one “pose” in TCC: Cosmic Consciousness Pose.

At the conference, it was apparent that some teachers stay in this concluding position, with knees bent and wrists flexed, from the end of one form to the start of the next, while other teachers hold the close for a few breaths and then assume a relaxed stance with both feet on the ground and knees unlocked for a few breaths before starting the next movement.

Is this a difference that makes a difference?

This is the question that Dan raised to conference attendees. He shared his experience that, while practicing with Justin over the years, Justin used to straighten his legs and stand with knees and wrists completely relaxed between movements. He stated that over the last several years he, like many other teachers, had started holding and staying in the “rest position” between movements, but that when reminded that Justin had not done this, he took some time to reflect on the difference it might make in his practice. Dan shared with us that he found that standing in a relaxed position between the close of one movement and the start of the next had given him renewed energy and joy in his practice. He encouraged all of us to try it.

My experience is, yes, it makes an important difference. When I close each form I feel grounded. When I stand in a relaxed stance after each close, I retain that grounded feeling, and I feel the energy flowing through my entire body. It is during this break that I experience my body completely relaxed and at ease. For me, this peaceful energy flow is the gift of TCC. I do not feel this when I hold the close. Although I have very strong legs and relatively healthy knees, holding the close and this keeping the knees bent for the entire practice makes my knees sore. I have many students who are not as strong as I am; for some, it is a challenge to bend the knees at all. Holding a squat position for a full 45-minute practice is tiring and causes tension and anxiety.

In my experience practicing with Justin over the years, he would often say, “we come to a graceful conclusion,” as he assumed the closing position for each form. He would remain in this position for a few breaths and then he would straighten his legs and stand in a relaxed manner for a few breaths before bending his knees and assuming the appropriate position to begin the next form. (And he fully relaxed, for an even longer period between the movements when practicing Seijaku.)

I will consider this article successful if everyone who reads it takes time to consult Justin’s Photo Textbook and his YouTube videos and DVDs – and considers the question in his or her own practice and teaching. I also encourage those who practiced with Justin on a regular basis to share their experience on this matter.