The equivalent
process to seeking the "Holy Grail" in internal arts is the ability to move
more slowly than your opponent and consistently win.
Slower speed that wins out requires three types of speed coming together
simultaneously:
1. Timing.
2. The signals required to maintain some level of conscious power.
3. The ability to release the internal gears of your body, which, if they
freeze up, can create a momentary mental gap that breaks the connection
between you and your opponent.
This method is referred to in the tai chi classics in the form of a
question:
"How is it possible that an old man can defeat a group of younger men?"
Obviously, elderly men, even the most talented, are not physically capable
of moving at the speed of young men. Virtually, by definition, the elderly
move with slowness, and yet those old men internal arts masters by slipping
in between the gaps, are justifiably well-known for defeating younger and
faster men.
(Bruce Frantzis)
Feeling
Our approach to tai chi places emphasis upon feeling.
You must be totally present in order for the system to work effectively for
health, meditation and self defence.
This entails feeling every part of your body consciously as it moves.
Immersing yourself in the 'here and now' heightens your
awareness and reduces the risk of injury.
Meditation
Modern
life involves a lot of boring activities. People are accustomed to daydreaming
or 'spacing out'.
The difficulty of tai chi necessitates complete attention. It helps the mind to
become calm and centred.
Slow motion practice encourages your mind to remain captivated by the
immediacy of the moment, to feel every nuance of every movement.
This degree of awareness is very healthy.
Gravity
The loose flowing movements of tai chi are very deliberately slow because
gravity is maintained when you move slowly.
You can align the body to work with gravity and improve your balance.
Leaning of any kind will destabilise the body.
It is fairly easy to move quickly.
Try lifting a leg in slow motion... the leg feels very heavy and hard to move.
When your body submits to gravity, it can feel as if you are lifting weights
every time you practice tai chi.
Stronger bones and muscles are developed as a consequence.
Nervous system
Moving slowly is quite difficult.
New students cannot sustain a slow, even movement.
They jerk.
The remedy to this is to practice.
Gradually, your body changes from within.
Slowing your movements entails the release of tension and the softening of the
nerves.
A calm, relaxed body can move softly and evenly without effort.
Too slow?
If you go too slowly it can be counter-productive. Instead of loosening and
relaxing, you stiffen up.
This occurs because the muscles are working too hard to carry the weight of the
body.
Find a pace that is slow but still smooth.
Beginners find it quite difficult to move slowly. This is understandable.
In our class, beginners move at a comfortable, easy pace. They are not
encouraged to be too slow at first.
Intermediate students are asked to slow down considerably. This makes the
practice far more potent.
The body must work harder, and excellent balance is necessary.
Seeing
When you slow down, you begin to notice things.
The study of
neigong is a refinement of awareness, in which
certain qualities are allowed and cultivated.
By being slow, you can pay attention to what is happening.
Rushing is not healthy.
Fast movement is often at the expense of good body alignment and can indicate a
loss of composure.
The unhurried pace of tai chi allows you time to experience life in a more
complete fashion.
Page created 1 July 1999