Tight muscles (tension) cause bone- against-bone type of
connections in the joints. (This might not be exactly correct anatomically but
suffices for purposes of this lesson). When we stretch, the joints open up and
instead of the above type of connection the bones have some space between them
and are connected by softer tissues; muscles, tendons, etc.. Each of the T’ai
Chi movements can be considered as a stretching and opening of the joints which
engenders a more flexible condition in the entire body.
Waves
Consider the difference between a stick and a rope. If you
hold one end of a rope and I hold the other, I can make waves in the rope by
waving my hand up and down. If we hold the ends of a stick, say a two by four ten
feet long, it would be very difficult to make waves in it. When our muscles are
tense and our joints inflexible, our body parts resemble the stick. By relaxing
and stretching the joints our body sections might be conceived of as a series
of small sticks (the bones) connected together by rubber bands (the softer
tissues), much like a length of pieces of old wooden clothespins with rubber
bands between them. If you held one end and I held the other, we could easily
make waves in this “rope”. The explanation of the concept of the flow of Chi as
waves resonating through the body and its’ accurate description in these terms
is another paper at another time. In simple terms, the tight muscle condition
is an energy block which inhibits the flow of Chi – the ability of all the
parts to work together and communicate with each other, which is enabled when
the connections are relaxed and stretched.
As we practice our T’ai Chi, if we consider each movement as
a stretch, we can facilitate the flow of this communication between the parts
and increase actual physical circulation (not just some nebulous philosophical
energy – I’m using the word “Chi” here in a very practical sense). This applies
also to the circulatory system and actual blood flow as well.
Consider a river or stream with several bends in it. If you
are in a canoe out in the middle where there is good flow the water is clear
and clean and you might be able to dip a glass in it and drink it. (I don’t
recommend this – this is more a poetic image than the reality of the condition
of today’s waterways.) If you look on the side where there is no current, the
water might be all green and black and slimy, with bugs and who-knows-what. Our
bodies are like this. Where there is no circulation there is opportunity for
poor health. T’ai Chi, by increasing circulation through all parts of the body,
promotes good health and facilitates healing.
When you raise your arms in the beginning of the form, think
of this as a stretch, all the way from the spine to the fingertips, relaxing
all the parts in between. As you pick up your leg and extend it, do the same
thing. In this way each movement can be seen as a stretch and can increase the
circulation. In the beginning, as we do our form we might forget and find
things tightening up, so each time we remember to stretch and loosen up it is
beneficial. As our practice evolves, this process becomes more subtle, but
applies at new levels, helping us to pay more attention and further perfect our
form, maybe relaxing and opening the finger joints, or slightly correcting our
posture to relax our lower back.
On yet another level, we might benefit from relaxing and
opening our heart, and find our inner peace grow to a new level. When the
circulation is good, all manner of healing is facilitated.
