Refinements, Anyone?

One of the greatest gifts of T’ai Chi Chih is the constant element of discovery and refinement. For several years, my arthritic hips interfered with maximum Chi flow in the side-to-side movements. Now, with two artificial hips at age 70, I am able to emphasize three points in Carry the Ball to the Side, which evoke the “Oh, now I get it! Now I really get it” response. A few thoughts:

I. I try to stay low throughout the entire sequence of extending the light-as-a-feather-foot to the left side, shifting the weight left/right/left/right/left, and while drawing the right leg to join the left leg in rest position. I notice that my students will rise up as they complete the weight shift and draw the empty leg in. Joint or balance issues make this a reasonable accommodation, but in my experience, staying low from beginning to end greatly increases the energy flow. Since I am still low after drawing my leg to the side, I rise back to rest or pause position as I allow my hands to drift down to a graceful conclusion.

2. Based on comments made at recent TCC gatherings, I now hold the pause position at the end of each triple circle sequence until I am aware of the equal distribution of weight between and across both feet. My sensation is that the yin and yang Chi are in balance before I step out again. I wait longer for an even stronger sense of Chi flow before reversing the movement to carry the ball to the right.

3. I am working on the narrow oval movement now being used to explain hip rotation, and this is the first time in 22 years that I have had such an immediate positive response to a refinement! I sink and swivel to the right to allow the ball to rise to the right shoulder, cradled by my slightly flexed wrists. I then press my hips slightly forward while shifting the weight to the left foot, where I again let my hip draw slightly back until the weight is centered above my left foot. I then sink and swivel to the left, emptying the right foot to extend light as a feather. This time, I pull my hips slightly back while shifting my weight to the right. The hips come back to center when my weight is centered above my right foot. My “oval” is very narrow, although perhaps a bit wider than the “pencil width” suggested at the 2008 conference. I find it much easier to create an energy experience in Carry the Ball to the Side and the other side-to-side movements with this technique.

I’m hoping to see as many of you as possible at the 2009 conference and at the Seijaku training, so we can continue this amazing “self-care” and “peer support” evolution that TCC has brought into our lives.