When we are out of balance, muscle tension is required to keep us from falling. This tension then prevents the various parts of the body from being connected to each other. It inhibits their working together. This is the mechanism by which the Chi flow is disabled.
The relaxed and stretched tissues between the various joints that allow the various body parts to work together as a unified whole system may be disturbed by the displacement of relatively small amounts of weight. Simply put, imbalance necessitates tension, and tension inhibits unity and coordination. When my shoulder is tense, the connection between the arm and the spine and hips is broken. Similarly, when my hips are tight, the legs are disconnected from the spine and lower back.
Any extra movement changes balance, so the elimination of such un-necessary movements may be extremely productive. This entails attention to eliminating some deeply rooted dysfunctional habits of movement. Some of these habits were learned very early, and it may require some time and practice to change them.
Common examples of some of these automatic connections might be, “Every time I raise my arms, I raise my shoulders and allow them to become tight and tense.”, or when performing Cloud Hands, “When I lift and raise one leg, my other knee straightens.” (When this occurs the upper body and head “bounce”, and once again, this weight shift disturbs the balance.)
All of these tips may become more relevant to our practice at the point that our attention is freed from the basics of memorizing the positions and movements. This usually happens only after practicing the form until these basic skills are acquired. No effort is wasted, and practice is rewarded with progress.
Best Wishes to All,
Daniel
