Do not uproot your heels.
Any movement which would necessitate lifting the rear heel is
improperly large.
Any range of movement is acceptable, so long as the rear heel remains rooted to the ground.
This is simple, but many people never notice their inattentiveness taking over and it takes Intention to truly benefit from TaiChi.
If you know you are making mistakes in your Practice, then it is a guarantee that you are making progress.
*I don’t like that phrase, but it is very popular.
There are flashy styles and approaches to Taijiquan.
There are styles which favor subtlety.
The former are like large, impressive yachts.
The latter, like a simple fishing boat.
No matter how fantastic and expensive the yacht, it doesn’t fulfill its function without the water.
The styles of Taijiquan are like different types of watercraft.
Each has unique traits, essential to their essence.
A raft is not the same as a yacht.
Yet it is water which makes each truly functional.
The TaiChi principles are the key to any style of Taijiquan.
It does not matter which style you study, perfect, or prefer-
so long as the TaiChi principle is your true objective.
The TaiChi principle is like water.
If you have the principle, any style will be smooth sailing.
The image above shows the foot positions for the right side of the Yang Style short form after the commencement, through the Grasp Bird’s Tail Sequence.
We can see clearly that the footwork is generally quite simple, and only involves four unique positions. Also, we can see the consistent presence of a “channel” between the feet, ensuring that the feet do not become tangled.
The (Lunar New Year) Chinese New Year celebration begins this week. Our current year of 2016 is the year of the Fire-Monkey.
The term “Monkey Mind” is often used to explain our tendency toward overwhelming mental activity, or non-stop thinking (for good and for bad). A Monkey, however, does not mind!
A Monkey-year is purported to often be a busy one, with much to see and do. Although Balance is still useful, and some of us may tend to require more rest, relaxation, and opportunities to escape the Monkey Mind, many of us may discover that the heightened buzz of activity is easily accommodated.
Whatever the case may be for you this year, with the additional association of the Fire element, don’t be afraid to do what you do full-on. Surge forward toward goals, enjoy little things with great joy, and shake your tree branches from time to time!
Think about it. Imagine it.
The faintest touch; fragility.
Could you feel the wings fluttering through your fingertips? Could you feel the tiny but fervently beating heart?
“Listening” is a skill.
Ting Jin is the term often used to suggest Listening in a physical/kinetic manner.
True skill in TaiChi depends, at least in part, on cultivating TingJin. When we can “hear” what is being “said” we can take correct action.
This is the purpose of Sensing-Hands or Tui Shou excercises. Not to develop our own action (the form exists for that) but to practice Listening, to utilize TingJin.
Yin-Yang-Yoga 