Focus on Tan T’ien

The following was sent to the Vital Force by Steve Ridley. It is a letter from a T’ai Chi Chuan student to her teacher, but, as Steve says, it applies to T’ai Chi Chih as well.

“During a bicycle ride from Lakewood to Evergreen I decided to experiment with breathing using the T’ai Chi principles. I had noticed that when I was under greatest stress on the uphill climb I was actually holding my breath and the effort required to keep pedaling was enormous.

“I began breathing deeply and as the breath came in I focused my mind on the Tan T’ien, which caused a sensation of having the air actually going to the abdomen. My primary purpose in trying this was to relax. However, I noticed some amazing effects that I did not expect. As I put my full attention on this breathing technique, the movement of my legs became effortless. The drastic change was almost unbelievable. If my mind wandered from concentration on the breathing, the effort and pain returned to my legs. When I reached Kittredge, which marks the end of the most difficult part of the ride, I noticed my breathing was quite steady and relaxed, unlike previous times when it was labored and took a long recovery time.

On the way back, the downhill side has its own stress level as you reach high speeds and control of the bicycle becomes crucial. Once again, I decided to use my T’ai Chi experimentally. This time it involved body posture. While down in the drops, I pulled my elbows down in a relaxed posture which brought my shoulders down as well. I experienced an immediate relaxation throughout my entire body which did not inhibit my ability to control the bicycle; in fact, I felt even more in control and there was this sensation of being one with the bicycle and feeling really connected to the road.

Because of this experience I have a more complete understanding of what T’ai Chi is and how it can be a complete and constant part of your everyday life and not just an exercise done twice a day.