There is a time to embrace and a time to refrain.
(Jesus)
Exaggerating the internal
One of the problems with learning tai chi is that it is very subtle.
The skill is on the inside.
It is not showy and external.
Yet, in order to learn neigong, you must
exaggerate certain qualities to make them discernable.
This carries some risk.
Learning
Watching an outward show of neigong can lead you to perform it in
that way.
Remember that the neigong must exist within the framework.
When the movements are grossly exaggerated, the body is forced to twist and
torque beyond a safe limit.
This can lead to instability of structure and potential injury if you are not
careful.
Groundpath
By
the time a student has learned the first 21 neigong they are ready to start
internalising the form slightly.
At this point many of the more explicit waist turns become smaller.
The need for groundpath and intent is emphasised.
This process creates internal tension and channels force much more effectively.
Awareness
Neigong are often simply an
awareness of what the body wants to do naturally.
You feel a need to turn, twist, release, open or close.
Providing the action does not compromise your structure, you allow it to happen.
Not forcing
If you are patient and aware, the neigong will unfold.
Your main activity is simply to remove the obstacles that prevent the neigong
from manifesting.
Typically the obstacle is tension.
Attempting to physically 'do'
a neigong is not a good endeavour. Remember Yang Cheng Fu's maxim "use
mind instead of force".
Page created 14 January 2005