Preparing The Lower Body Before Adding Hand Movements

Carry the Ball to the Side is the first movement with a side-to-side weight shift, and as such, is a pivotal move to teach. My remarks concern integration of three points.

WEIGHT SHIFT/LEG PATTERNING. To experience the wave-like action of the weight shift to the side, particular attention must be paid to the weight as it transfers from the rooted foot to the extended leg: the extended foot (insubstantial or non-weight bearing) flattens as the rooted foot (substantial or weight-bearing) begins the transfer of weight from the sole of the foot through the knee (the floodgate), to the thigh, and into the pelvic region before it begins to settle into the opposite leg.

WAISTTURNING/HIP SWIVEL. Using the leg patterning for CTBTTS, feel the weight settling into the opposite leg as the weight shifts as described above. The last of the weight transfer from the rooting foot is helping the waist to turn ever so slightly. As the waist turns, the hip swivels as a natural reaction to the fully completed weight shift, allowing for a smooth return or transfer of weight back to the other side for this move.

SENSING/LISTENING. Students should be encouraged to feel this move internally. Sense any holding of tension while shifting the weight and release it downward through the legs. This is especially useful when checking for the completed weight shift. Holding tension as the weight is shifted inhibits the turn of the waist and the swivel of the hips. Tension restricts the circular nature of the move within the pelvic cavity.

This exploration allows the student to approach this move with a degree of confidence in what is required of the lower body. Mastery of all these points is not expected all at once, but rather occurs over time. It is enough for the beginning student to understand the importance of how to shift the weigh, flow softly, and to comprehend how that affects the turning of the waist and the swiveling of the hips. As students gain confidence in movement basics and observe the turning of the waist and the swivel of the hip, they begin to develop the ability to integrate waist turning, the hip swivel, and the element of listening inwardly to the tan t’ien and the flow of the Chi.