Concentration in the sense that I am using the
word means, not staring at,
but being centred in this one moment and not comparing it with any other.
It requires simply the understanding that there is no other moment than this
one:
there never was, and there never will be.
You cannot, then, compare this moment with any other, for there are no
others.
Memories of the past and anticipation of the future are not other moments,
but part of this one.
(Alan Watts)
Three dimensions
An object exists in three dimensions:
Height or vertical
Length
Width or lateral
The intersection of these three dimensions creates the physical centre
(4).
These qualities represent four of the six centres that concern a
tai chi student.
The remaining centres are: centreline (5) and centre relative to opponent
(6).
Stand like a tree
To unify these six centres you must stand like a tree.
Picture a tree sunk into the ground and
imagine that the trunk represents your central axis.
The body can rotate around this central
trunk and move freely in any
direction without losing balance.
It is sometimes referred to as 'standing post'.
As a principle, we are concerned with feeling a connection from your
feet to your crown.
You can draw stability from that connection, whether
standing on one leg or two.
It is impossible to lean when this
neigong is present.
Liz Koch, author of
The Psoas Book wrote:
A healthily functioning psoas provides a sensitive suspension bridge between the trunk and the legs. Ideally, the psoas guides the transfer of weight from the trunk into the legs and also acts as a grounding wire guiding the flow of subtle energies. Working properly, the psoas functions like the rigging of a circus tent, stabilizing your spine just as guy wires help stabilize the main pole of the big top.
In addition, the psoas provides a diagonal support through the trunk, forming a shelf for the vital organs of the abdominal core. In walking, a healthy psoas moves freely and joins with a released diaphragm to continuously massage the spine as well as the organs, blood vessels, and nerves of the trunk. Working as a hydraulic pump, a freely moving psoas stimulates the flow of fluids throughout the body. And a released, flowing psoas, combined with a stable, weight-bearing pelvis, contributes to the sensations of feeling grounded and centred.
Vertical centre/axis
The vertical centre of your
body is an imaginary line which falls from the crown of the skull down
through the body to emerge between genitals and anus, down to the ground.
It terminates at the front of the heel.
Length centre
In
Dynamic Balancing Tai Chi your
weight is usually 70% in one leg or the other.
The length centre is the ability to remain stable and balanced when shifting
weight
forwards and backwards between the legs.
There should not be any wobbling.
If your weight is evenly distributed between the legs, it is called 'double-weighted'
and this is incorrect.
Stepping involves having 100% weight in the supporting leg and 0% weight in
the stepping leg.
Once the stepping heel is placed, 70% of the weight can be smoothly moved
forward.
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Page created 23 March 2000