Applying Internal Relaxation Into Your Form

A student recently asked me how she can make her form smoother. In class, we have discussed structure, chi flow and relaxation, and how they relate to the form. We also have discussed flowing like water and the movements starting from the Dan Tien — not to mention feeling and being aware of chi energy flowing around all us.

I encountered insights on this topic that I found so brilliant I needed to share. They come courtesy ofThe Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi by Peter M. Wayne, Ph.D. with Mark L Fuerst.

The authors discuss sung, which translates to "active relaxation" — being mindful of what is going on inside your body while you are in a relaxed state.

Even when we are in a relaxed state, our body still functions. We breathe, our hearts beat and our blood flows (to name but a few functions). Therefore, if we are mindful of our blood flow, breath and heartbeat, we can take these internal forces and visualize them shifting as we make our movements. This shifting inside us moves like waves in the ocean, which the authors call "pouring."

The classics talk about "empty" and "fill in" movement. As we step, we empty the weight of one leg and slowly fill the other. However, if we see that as only a shift in body weight, we may still move like sticks.

If we picture our insides pouring into the step, now we get an entire relaxation from the inside-out. This is what good Tai Chi is supposed to be.

We need this good relaxation for all the health benefits Tai Chi has to offer, like lower blood pressure and better mind-body connection.

I have not finished this book yet, but the visualization of pouring has me looking forward to reading the rest.

(Special thanks to my friend Aaron Green for the book recommendation.)