Liked on YouTube: Tension and Relaxation -Insight Into Small Circle (Frame) Tai Chi

Tension and Relaxation -Insight Into Small Circle (Frame) Tai Chi
Tai Chi practitioners are deeply concerned about relaxation and tension in its execution. To provide clarification on this subject, this video journeys through the entirety of Small Circle Tai Chi Form from its martial arts application to form playing, using demonstration and technical analysis to present conclusions.
via YouTube https://youtu.be/mq6xubR83gI

Maintaining "exactly" parallel feet

From a Workshop at Buffalo State College is a discussion of the rationale for maintaining "exactly" parallel feet. Also a picture of railroad tracks which are "exactly" 4',8.5" wide, so how far apart are the feet in Classical Tai Chi? The feet when parallel should be the length of one foot apart. So if you wear a size 8 shoe, or a 15 shoe the feet are exactly that length apart. Also, imagine a set of tracks that are exactly a size 8 or 15 wide and when parallel you could stand with left foot on one track and right foot on the other. If you began to turn either foot an inch you would start to fall off the track. Let me clarify that and say "rationale for maintaining exact... no, a better word is exactly parallel feet". I say "exactly" because the common thread is the emphasis on body mechanics and the concern about preserving and improving the health of the joints, such as those in the spine, hip, knee, and ankle. Parallel means side by side and having "exactly" the same distance continuously between them...no fudging and allowing either of the feet to even peek a little bit to the side.

Liked on YouTube: Sports & How Tai Chi Can Improve Mechanics (Enhanced)

Sports & How Tai Chi Can Improve Mechanics (Enhanced)
See more tai chi instructional videos at: http://bit.ly/1JtLXfG Examples of top athletes using Internal Discipline in Classical Tai Chi to generate power in their movements: Roger Federer's tennis, Jose Bautista & Prince Fielder's baseball, & Manny Pacquiao's boxing. Online School: http://bit.ly/2DZSqAN For more information: http://bit.ly/1JtLXfG
via YouTube https://youtu.be/bnmrIuo3pOU

Feel Qi or Feel evidence of Qi?

Feel Qi or Feel evidence of Qi (video on Qi)

Sifu Jim Roach said: Master Stephen Hwa, Here's my question: At 7:30 approx. of the "...Qi...internal energy..." youtube video you state in so many words "...the qi is something you cannot feel...but you do feel the energy..." To sum this up might it be correct to say one does not feel the qi, one feels the evidence of qi? I'm thinking of an analogy to electricity like "one does not see electricity but one does see the evidence of electricity when a light bulb goes on". Or, one does not feel electricity but one does feel the evidence of electricity when they get an electrical shock.

Thanks for that video, as some would say...it's "awesome" as far as a down to earth explanation and how to do things.

Jim

Yes, Jim. You may feel finger tingling, but you will not feel the Qi flow. Because it is there instantly. Other people may feel your Qi when you touch them. Sometimes works quite well. .

Barbara and I visited with Sifu Jason Bulger who has been my student for the last 8 years. He is graduating top of his class at D'Youville College with a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. Congratulations Jason! Here he is giving a presentation of his current research on May 2 along with 120 other presenters. His research is on "How Effective is Tai Chi in Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates for Heart Failure Patients. With patients, there is a positive impact on psychological, psychosocial and physiological needs. For Healthcare providers it is an immediate cost saving intervention.

 It is interesting what happens with the Heart when we talk about "internal motion", "internal discipline" and "internal energy" in Classical Tai Chi. In facilitating the compression of the abdominal cavity it massages the internal organs. In particular the abdomen is drawn upwards towards the chest cavity, this compresses the intestines, liver, pancreas, spleen, gall bladder, kidneys and above all the HEART.

The activity of internal movement from Classical Tai Chi creates what I believe is a veritable tidal flow of blood, qi, etc throughout the body. It would seem that along with this inreased blood flow the HEART does not have to work so hard don't you think?

 In addition to the "internal massage" of the heart enabling it to operate more efficiently, people doing internal discipline report feeling "warm". One can say internal heat also helps to activate heart muscle and in addition to the increased blood flow we mentioned improves the tonus of the heart muscle also making it more capable of doing work without undue strain