Autumn 2021 Living Tao Essential Tai Ji Series — Session Two
(November 2021)
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Continuing to explore the metaphors of the basic Tai Ji motifs, starting with the “Five Moving Forces of Nature” 五行 (Wu Xing), the essential Qi Gong practice of the “Eight Folds of Silk Brocades” 八段錦 (Ba Duan Jin), and gradually unraveling the Tai Ji circles, one motif at a time, delving deeper into the never ending explorations. We will re-examine the simple purity with the metaphors of “Unbleached Silk and Uncarved Block” 純樸 (Chun Pu); to “Return to Being the Child” 返樸歸真 (Fan Pu Gui Zhen), to recapture a “Sense of Universal Wonder”, to be 天真 Heavenly Truthful (Tian Zhen), and Naturally So 自然 (Zi Ran).
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[See the Supplemental References below]
ESSENTIAL EXERCISES OF CHINA
八段錦Ba Duan Jin ~ Eight Folds of Silk Brocades
(also, Eight Pieces of Brocade)
1. Shuang Shou Tuo Tian li San Jiao雙手托天理三焦
Both hands hold up the Heavens to regulate the Triple Heaters
2. Zuo You Kai Gon Si She Diao 左右開弓似射雕
Drawing the bow left and right to shoot the hawk
3. Tiao Li Pi Wei Xu Dan Ju 調理脾胃须單舉
Circulate heaven and earth with singular arms for healthy spleen and stomach
4. Wu Lao Qi Shang Wang Hou Qiao 五劳七傷往後瞧
Looking back stretching to heal all illnesses
5. Yao Tou Bai Wei Qu Xin Huo 摇頭擺尾去心火
Sway the head and shake the tail to cool the overly passionate Heart Fire
6. Liang Shou Pun Zhu Gu Shen Yao Two 兩手攀足固腎腰
Hands hold the Feet to strengthen the kidneys and lower back
7. Zan Quan Nu Mu Zeng Qi Li 攒拳怒目增氣力
Clench the fists and glare fiercely to fortify Qi strength
8. Bei Hou Qi Dian Bai Bing Xiao 背后七颠百病
Looking back seven times a hundred illnesses will be healed
FIVE MOVING FORCES OF NATURE
TAI JI MOVEMENTS IN FIRST CIRCLE PRACTICE
Bai He Liang Chi 白鹤亮翅 White Crane Spreads (flashes) it Wings
Shou Hui Pi Pa 手揮琵琶 Hand Strumming or Plucking Pipa
TAI JI CHAKRAS
(ZHONG/YONG/AN/DING/NE/GUAN/YIN)
[Refer to September 2020 Study Materials]
TAI JI MOVEMENTS IN SECOND CIRCLE PRACTICE
拳Quán
Fist
太極拳 “Tai Ji open fist
掌Zhǎng
Palm
太極掌 Tai Ji palm release
扇Shàn 通Tōng 背Bēi
(Fan through back)
“Fanning CHI/QI 氣 up the spine”— remaining deeply rooted on your stance.
Supplemental References
George Thompson
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Hungarian Psychologist)
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
(Harper Perennial Modern Classics)
Dancing with Birds by Mohammed Shneiwer
https://www.facebook.com/Shneiwerart
Music
“Mantra: Pipa Meditation” by Wu Man from “CHINA-Spirit and Wisdom” (Ellipsis Arts)
“Zen of Water” by David Mingyue Liang from “In C”
“Wade in the water” with Ramsey Lewis from “The Best Jazz…Ever” (Circa Records Ltd 1996）
The following material can be found in previous session study materials which have been posted on the Living Tao website.
September 2020 Study Materials:
- Wu Xing (Five Moving Forces)
- Jing/Qi/Shen (Essence/Breath/Spirit)
- Tai Ji Ritual Guide
- Tai Ji Chakras (Zhong/Yong/An/Ding/Ne/Guan/Yin)