My Graceful Conclusions

What do I feel, and what happens and when, at the end of each T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) movement? This is what Justin Stone referred to as, “Make a graceful conclusion.”

As a teacher-trainer, I am often concerned for students rushing through this moment and/or not sinking deeply enough into the position for proper grounding and balancing of the Chi. I have often observed (and myself felt) a lack of letting go when in that position, a degree of stiffness or holding on in the pelvic girdle.

In examining and experiencing this ending to the movements over time, I have come to my own graceful conclusion about this ending by considering what those very words mean.

Graceful means flowing without effort or tension. The weight needs to fully commit to one leg/foot, so that the opposite foot can rise off the ground and, as if floating weightlessly, then softly set down next to the other foot, making no splash (never a kerplunk as it does when the weight has not shifted fully).

Conclusion means that, once the above has happened, we reach a point of becoming still, the body’s weight having become evenly redistributed on the soles of both feet, the pelvis having sunk into place, with a soft and slight bend of the knees (reaching a feeling as if fully sitting on the legs/feet), and with the pelvic girdle having completely relaxed and let go with no tension or stiffness whatsoever.

When I reach that point of stillness, with my attention placed fully in the soles of the feet, the Chi becomes balanced and grounded instantaneously. I do not wait for it to happen, nor is there anything else that I need to do. I need not hold still any longer; I can relax my body, feeling myself rise a bit, and allow the hands to drop a bit and relax (or even rest at my sides).

As a teacher, I find that this does not necessarily happen easily or fully in students. Like the TCC movements, it takes practice. I call the students’ attention to those points over and over, giving reminders to drop their bodyweight fully into the feet (they tend to remain too tall with too little or no knee bend), and to stay there (according to Bass Drum in the Photo Text for at least 4 or 5 seconds). Newer practitioners usually need that time to feel what happens with the balancing of the yin and yang Chi.

However, some seasoned practitioners and experienced teachers do not stay in graceful conclusion for more than a brief moment or two. In my experience, when one comes to know and feel the balancing of the Chi and the grounding in the soles of the feet, it happens in a moment (which might bring what feels like a punctuation point or sudden slight “drop” into the still position).

In my own practice, this never feels exaggerated or intentional. Nor does it depend on how long I remain still. It follows a natural grounding of the energy. But it depends on reaching a final correct position. If the ending is not graceful, or if the conclusion is not final (i.e., dropping the bodyweight into the feet with slightly bent knees), it will not happen.

Experience doing TCC well comes with time and practice. Justin’s words are important in our understanding over time, in our teaching, and especially in how we guide students to inner knowing.