The Classical Tai Chi of Segmented Movement

 Yin and Yang and it’s Science ; a Video of “Delineation”

Yin and Yang as Segmented Movement

Segmented Movement

The zen of piano

A “segment” of Todd Hargroves “The Skill of Relaxation”, please visit his site at bettermovement.org. He publishes VERY interesting articles about movement.

“Imagine a pianist playing the piano. Each time she strikes a key with a certain finger, the other fingers must be relaxed so the wrong key isn’t struck at the same time. So, the skill of relaxation is an essential component of playing. If you want to get a little zen about it, you could say that the non-doing is just as important as the doing.

The pianist's skill is an example of differentiated movement – the ability to move one segment of the body while keeping a nearby segment still. Belly dancers have excellent differentiated movement - they can isolate small movements in their torso and hips while keeping other areas still or even moving them in the opposite direction. By contrast, most Americans, especially white male Americans, tend to move their hips and low back as one big block. This generally leads to poor performance in dancing, and is partly caused by insufficient skill in relaxation.”

The segmentation of the body in Classical Tai Chi as taught by Stephen Hwa, Ph.D

In Classical Tai Chi, as taught by Master Stephen Hwa, it is essential to move one segment of the body while keeping a nearby segment still. This principle is part of the “internal discipline” that emphasizes the interaction between the body's moving (yang) and stationary (yin) parts to achieve balance and vitality. 

For example, when performing lower body movements, the power from the abdomen and back is transmitted through the pelvis to the legs, with the pelvis acting as an extension of the leg. To take a step, the abdomen and back lift the pelvis, which lifts the leg, while the upper body remains still. Similarly, in specific moves like "Brush Knee" and "Fair Lady," the right and left sides are performed, with each side being a mirror image of the other, ensuring that one part of the body moves while the other remains still. This approach is fundamental to Classical Tai Chi, where every movement is internally driven and requires a deep understanding of the body's segments and their interactions.

More about segmented movement, Page 50, Uncovering the Treasure, Classical Tai Chi’s Path to Internal Energy and Health by Stephen Hwa, Ph.D

The Concept of Yin (nonmoving) and Yang (moving)

“Most untrained people make moves instinctively, not aware how different segments of their body perform different functions in a joint effort to achieve the mission. One of the objectives of Classical Tai Chi is to teach how to identify and then perfect this capability.

Square Form is the first step to teach beginners to be familiar with the concept and practice of segmentation.

When one part of body moves (yang), the rest of the body is completely still (yin). As discussed before, to achieve internal movements, the yin and yang must be paired to form a junction at the right place in the torso.

If there is any movement in the yin, the junction will be altered and result in an entirely different kind of move.

That is why when practicing the Square Form the more robotic look, the better. If one does not maintain stillness while other parts of the body move, the object of doing Square Form is compromised.

This is a drill to tune the neuromuscular control of the student. Most beginners cannot keep their neural signals focused on a narrow segment of their body. The diffusion of the signal creates unintended movements.”