A major pitfall is that if the
new student is not prepared to invest in loss,
if he opts instead to start seeking victory, he runs the risk of being a
perpetual beginner.
Almost every school has two students who have developed a modicum of
sensitivity but, unwilling to further subdue their ego, desiring that tai
chi pay off now, become demon push hands players, combining sensitivity with
selective strength and resistance to push their opponents around. They have
acquired techniques, they dominate any beginner and can be difficult for
good players to handle, but all their victories are worthless. No matter how
long they practice, the gate of real development has slammed shut; they have
locked themselves out.
(Wolfe Lowenthal)
Relax
No matter how relaxed you think of yourself as being, be aware that
you can relax further.
Relaxation of body and mind are a constant ongoing endeavour.
You cannot force it.
Once again, you must let-go. Cease activity and allow everything to settle.
Let your body be like
jelly: super-relaxed, heavy - even clumsy-seeming at first.
No holding, anywhere. Let them grab you, throttle you, push you. Do not prepare
for what may come.
Qigong
Standing qigong helps the body
to find structure without tension, balance your energy and calm the mind.
If you find the exercises difficult, the solution lies with relaxation.
Hardship is not caused by the exercise itself.
Keeping your muscles perpetually contracting is what wears you out; the
discomfort is caused by your own tension.
Soften.
Form
Form is an ideal way to take this relaxation into
movement.
The softer you are, the easier it will be.
Slowing the movements down or settling at the end of each posture will help your
body to become sensitive and calm.
If your limbs feel heavy, they are beginning to relax.
Tension
In any given activity, beginners usually apply 100% of their strength when only 1%
is needed.
This wears them, tiring their muscles and limiting joint/vertebra
movement.
Beginners work at using the absolute threadbare amount of strength on an everyday basis.
There should be absolutely no discernable tension whatsoever.
When you muscles are functioning efficiently, you no longer even notice them.
Page created 21 October 2003