Creating a continuous flow during Tai Chi

This week has been difficult for me. One of my private lesson students moved to Copenhagen, Denmark with her husband for a marvelous business opportunity. I know we did not say a permanent goodbye but as any instructor will tell you, it is really difficult to see a truly dedicated student walk away, even for a potentially short (2 year) period of time. I want to extend a special “Thank You” to Nichole for her dedication to Tai Chi training and willingness to explore her true nature in the process. Keep up the great work!

Flowing like a river:
This week we worked on creating a continuous flow in our form training. While this is typically a very advanced Tai Chi concept, I like to present it as a seed to be cultivated and nurtured until it ripens on its own. The idea is to be so connected to the Dan Tien that each form begins and ends seamlessly into the next form. The danger in training this too early is that forms can become “mashed” together effectively loosing their integrity in the process. To help prevent this issue, students are encouraged to listen to the Dan Tien and allow it to dictate where each form begins and ends.

Pause, self check, continue:
During early and intermediate stages of Tai Chi form training we always add small spaces (pauses) between the movements so as to allow for a check of posture, tension and alignment. Once the physical movements are committed to body memory, the focus turns towards mental work and thus we begin to whittle away at the space between the forms. As is typical with Tai Chi training, this is easier said than done.

First floor - Body work; Second floor - Mind over matter; Third Floor - SMILE!
As I often mention in classes, Tai Chi has three levels, physical, mental and spiritual. The process of creating a continuous flow within the form requires a separation of the physical focus and attention to the higher mental aspects of training, therefore, you must be comfortable with the physical movements before you can truly appreciate the nuances of Tai Chi flow. For this reason, beginners and intermediate students, are asked to practice this concept only within the commencement form. This simplifies the practice to a level that can be more readily understood.

As we explored the details of flow this week I found several interesting things to consider.

Visualization
Using mental imagery plays an important part in creating continuity within the forms. Particularly, imagining the Dan Tien being in complete command from its center to the bodily extremities. NO movement begins or ends without the Dan Tien being involved. Imagine strings being tied to your finger tips, head and your toes each one connected to the Dan Tien and being used to direct your movements like a marionette.

Concentration
The more a student was able to maintain their level of concentration, the easier this concept was to integrate into their form work.

Body Memory
The more comfortable the student was with the form (through personal practice), the greater their level of concentration.

What does all this mean?
The more you practice your Tai Chi form, the easier the higher levels of training become to integrate. Funny - this is kind of like the message we have always gotten about a healthy diet - Everything in moderation, eat plenty of fruits and veggies and get plenty of rest.