Remembering Seijaku

Seijaku Workshop with Carmen Brocklehurst in Albuquerque, NM; May 16, 2009

By Judy Hendricks, Host, Albuquerque, NM

I’ve renewed my interest in my Seijaku practice, and I’ve noticed that after doing it for a while, I have a strong urge to clean out my closet. So thanks to this daylong workshop, I have a couple of bags of clothes to give away. No one would ever mistake me for clean freak, but after doing Seijaku, I often clean out my closet. It seems quite easy to get rid of all those clothes I don’t need. Letting go. Seijaku practice can be intense but it also takes me deeper, and I learn so much more about myself after doing it. When I do this practice I feel more joyful and positive about life; and I know I will then likely have a positive effect on all the people I encounter that day. 

These workshops are always great because I often forget some of the details of Seijaku practice. For instance, in Carry The Ball To The Side, there is just one set of three to each side, done in place, and then you remain there for the next set (whether it be for the Seijaku or T’ai Chi Chih portion of the practice). Because the set is so self-contained (i.e. we’re staying in place), there isn’t as much movement to the side, and this brings a strong focus to the hip swivel and the tan t’ien because it directs the flow of energy inward rather than outward. 

The Seijaku version of Bird Flaps Its Wings is also quite different from the TCC form. Seijaku Bird Flaps Its Wings begins like Rocking Motion for the first three movements – except your palms are facing down. The strong, soft emphasis on each movement creates an even greater feeling of lightness in the whole body, so that when the opening to the side of the body is done TCC-style, it’s softer than I’ve ever done in regular TCC practice. It’s only then that I feel that I’m really letting go.

How did I get out of the routine of practicing Seijaku – when I realize that the strong part of Seijaku teaches me so much about the soft part of Tai Chi Chih, and when I feel softer and gentler. There is so much to learn about letting go. Insights are much easier to reach after Seijaku, especially when I combine TCC and Seijaku into the same practice. I’ve been given the tools for letting the Chi flow. The decrease of clutter in my house is an added bonus.