Tai Chi Talks: Releasing the thighs to sink through the legs

[@Taichistretchingspace3479]

Yang Taiji Chuan Principals train the development of a root in the soles of the feet. Relaxing the shoulders and tailbone is necessary to sink deeply into the root. Once deep enough there is a phenomena called an elastic contraction that sends a wave of energy up the legs into the waist followed by a build of centre pressure in the dantien that becomes a precursor to the releasing Jin……The issue

[@utrscmd]

Thanks Sifu Grant. Really good stuff.

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

Glad you got something from it.

[@liminalzone909]

Thanks for that. Lot's of ideas to explore. I was once on a semina with my teacher doing loads of practice and I felt that my upper body was covered in heavy silk falling down. I was aware that it was just my upper body but didn't think to question why it was stopping around my middle. My teacher Wee Kee Jin walked by me practicing a form and said in passing "sink your hips" an instruction that had seemed mysterious and suddenly it was like silk pyjama trousers just fell down to the floor.

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

@liminalzone909. I like the analogy of heavy silk pajamas. I've thought of warm, wet, loose clothes at times - that heavy draping feeling. When the legs release and it drops through, it's a great feeling, isn't it?

[@beenright5115]

I find myself stuck in the waist as well, until i can properly open the hips. Usually it's a big release from the lower back into the quads, which lights them up. But the form i practice has a slight forward lean, so that contributes to the thigh burn.

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

Hello @beenright5115. I experienced a similar progression in sinking. The legs are tough to get through. Just know you can and keep at it. Thanks for sharing.

[@alchimievitale]

Yes 100 %

[@coryaikido]

Thanks very much, Sifu. I am a relative beginner at this, at age 63. Many years of aikido, only two of tai chi. Question about an interesting comment that you made about 'aiming'. Is there anything more that you'd be willing to say about how we are 'aiming'? Is the idea that we are really trying to feel perfect straight down sinking? Is there a spot (between our two bubbling wells, say) that we are aiming our center of balance? Is there anything you could tell me about how long to stand like this, what to feel for, how many months/years it takes, for how many hours a day, before you tend to achieve various new deeper feelings of the sinking? I'd appreciate anything more that you'd be willing to share. Thanks for all of your videos.

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

Hello, @coryaikido. Thank you for appreciating my work. You asked great questions, which show you are paying attention to the right things. I will say a little bit here, and I will go into a lot of detail about this subject in my Online Tai chi Academy, which you can find a link to in the description of this video if you'd like to check it out. The short answer is yes, we want to feel straight down sinking. In the wuji posture, focusing on a central point between the bubbling wells (yanquan points) is a good place to start. You might say that baihui at the top of the head and huiyin at the pelvic floor should align over that point in a vertical line. If you imagine that point as existing on a line connecting the bubbling wells (the bubbling well line if you will) then we can add the weizhong points at the backs of th knees and imagine them all on the same vertical plane (roughly dividing the body front to back). In terms of what to feel for, this can be an involved subject. I can give a general answer here, but I fear it will be quite abstract and ultimately insufficient. In truth, this subject requires a regular dialogue between teacher and student. Here's what I can offer for the moment: let the supportive force of the ground extend up from the feet to the head (primarily through the skeletal structure), and let gravity release down through the soft tissues and internal spaces of the body from head to feet and into the ground. Seek to open and decompress the joints and ungrip the muscles as much as you can. Ultimately, you should not feel heavy, but rather, as if every joint is suspended in its own space - almost as if floating in a kind of fluid - which both separates and connects each part of the body together... vector equilibrium. This is achieved over time and practice. As for time - It's important to understand that our goal is not merely to establish a well aligned posture but to spend time under the influence of gravity, breath, ground, and mind. It is these that change the body during the practice. With this in mind, stand for a good while. 15 to 20 minutes is a good goal to start with. If you can do that a few times a day, that would be great, but at least once a day. As for how long it takes to feel advancement, it is quite individual. That said, with diligence and proper guidance, one can feel change happening relatively quickly. A few months of dedicated practice may be enough to feel noticeable improvement. The practice continues to deepen over the years and may never stop. I'm sorry I could not give more here. If you'd like to get deeper into this, you can connect with me directly. Regards, Grant

[@coryaikido]

@DarsanaMartialArts Wow, thanks very much for your very helpful answer. I will start practicing this and I will check out your tai chi academy.

[@edwardmarchildon2343]

ever try balancing something on your head while doing the form or just standing and shifting from one side to the other?

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

Sure. Fun and revealing exercise.

[@edwardmarchildon2343]

@@DarsanaMartialArts i am not surprised. do you use it to teach students?

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

I do when I feel they need it, or it will help their development.

[@XinvictusX]

You just came up on my videos. It only took a few years

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

Hello @XinvictusX. Do we know eachother?

[@XinvictusX]

@DarsanaMartialArts I don't think so..I am in Michigan. We do have some nice push hand meet ups if you are ever in Michigan

[@BobJohnson992]

This has got nothing to do with Taijiquan aka "Taiji". Maybe you should use a different name so people don't get confused?

[@DarsanaMartialArts]

Hello, @BobJohnson992. It is my perspective that what I share in this video does pertain to Tai Chi. I recognize and respect that there are many differing methods and viewpoints on the theory and practice of Tai Chi, and I welcome constructive discourse on this channel. Such discussions help all of us to learn and grow. Regards, Grant