March 2010
4 posts
five ways to train qi
The movements of the Tiger should be fluid and resilient.
The movements of the Deer should be solid and rooted.
The movements of the Monkey should be lively and agile.
The movements of the Bear (not performed in the above video) should be centred and broad.
The movements of the Bird (Crane) should be extended and graceful.
Apprenticeship
The following quote is from David Earle, a renown Canadian dance choreographer. While there are great differences between dance and the internal arts, they share the fact that they only truly exist when performed and that can only truly be taught person to person.
“…because of the life element unique to dance, I am grateful to have been chosen by it. The writer, the painter, the sculptor, the...
Homeostasis
Our bodies are permeable. Air pressure can trigger migraines, the ingredients in cosmetics enter the bloodstream, blood viscosity changes with air temperature. Our bodies are in constant interaction with the world around us. Typically in very subtle but very real ways. People shouldn’t be too quick to discount Chinese medicine’s understanding of Wind, Cold Heat, Dryness or Damp and...
Find your feet
When learning a complicated movement or sequence, first figure out the footwork. If you can learn the footwork you can learn the rest. If you don’t figure out the footwork, you won’t be able to figure out the rest.
