Great Lake T'ai Chi

A wonderful tribute to Ed Young in The NY Times. ❤️

Ed Young Dies at 91; Infused His Illustrations With Chinese Tradition Over a 60-year career, he illustrated some 100 books of fairy tales, poetry and memoirs, and won three Caldecott Medals.

The question of whether to sink qi to the dantian or into the feet during practice is a common one, and there is not a single definitive answer. Both concepts have their validity depending on the context and the specific focus of your practice. It is useful to understand the principles and how they relate to your overall practice.

Traditionally, the focus is on sinking qi into the dantian as the dantian serves as the centre of internal energy and is the storage place for true qi. However, it is also necessary to sink qi to the feet, particularly during movements that involve rooting and grounding. This sinking of qi into the feet is seen as a manifestation of internal energy flowing towards the lower extremities, which is important for stability and balance. Thus it is often said that qi partly returns to the dantian and partly sinks to the bottom of the feet.

The opening and closing of internal qi involves the dantian as the centre and typically follow a balanced, symmetrical, and spiralling path towards two opposite ends. The two ends can refer to various aspects of the body, such as upper and lower limbs, left and right sides, front and back, as long as they represent opposing directions.

Taking the example of the upper and lower directions, when internal energy is conveyed to the shoulders above, it should simultaneously be conveyed to the hips below. When it reaches the elbows above, it should reach the knees below, and when it reaches the hands above, it should reach the feet below. This alignment is a fundamental requirement often referred to as the "three external harmonies." This concept of harmonious energy flow and balance is crucial for the effectiveness and fluidity of movements.

The reference to sinking qi to the feet means that during the first half of a qi cycle, internal qi that has already gathered in the dantian begins to flow down the legs until it reaches the soles of the feet. This is considered the "opening" phase of internal energy circulation. When combined with the return from the extremities to the dantian, known as the "closing" phase, it constitutes a complete opening and closing cycle. This opening and closing cycle is fundamental, when it is done correctly, for smooth and unobstructed internal energy flow.

The concept to "relax downward and sink the qi deep into the Earth" represents a more advanced level of internal energy flow, suggesting the depth to which qi travels into the lower extremities. It reflects a higher state of connection between the body and the ground, where internal energy extends harmoniously both upward and downward, symbolising the profound unity of Heaven, Earth, and Human.

Obituary: Ed Young Caldecott Medal–winning author-illustrator Ed Young, best known for his reinterpretations of folktales and legends from his native China, and evocative illustrations rendered in a range of mediums, died September 29 in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. He was 9

Nothing you love is lost. Not really. Things, people—they always go away, sooner or later. You can’t hold them, any more than you can hold moonlight. But if they’ve touched you, if they’re inside you, then they’re still yours. The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold inside your heart. ~Bruce Covill

It is with a heavy heart that I share news of Ed Young's passing. Our tai chi family has lost one of its greatest treasures. Ed was a kind and generous teacher and a cultural and generational bridge for his students. We have lost a great human being and mentor.
As a children's book illustrator and author he has 100 books to his name and has been a tireless advocate for literacy and libraries. He believed that every person has a gift to share with the world. He was welcoming, loving, joyful, playful and had the best laugh. To say we will miss him is an understatement. To whom will we turn for wisdom? As Ed would say "I don't know yet"...

It’s not too late to join a beginner class…we’d love to see a few more people!
Www.greatlaketaichi.com

Just a reminder….classes resume this week including two options for beginning students! Check us out at www.greatlaketaichi.com

Looking for a new experience as the Fall season approaches? Our next session of classes for new students begins the week of September 10th. Choose from 5:30 on Mondays or Wednesdays. It's never too early or too late to reap the rewards of this healing art. Make a little time for yourself!
For details, full schedule and to sign up for class log on to
www.greatlaketaichi.com

The guiding principle of Taijiquan is to lead with intention (yi), which governs the movements. Without the proper intention, the form becomes weak, soft and lifeless, losing its foundational principles and cannot be considered true Taijiquan.

All internal systems emphasise internal cultivation, with the "mind intention” as the key. Every movement is initiated by intention, and the body follows accordingly, connected seamlessly, like pulling a thread or stretching a branch. It expands infinitely outward while maintaining a small circle within, “connecting the vast universe above and reaching the depth of the earth below”.

This kind of practice requires complete tranquility of mind and detachment from external distractions. Though it may seem simple, in reality few can truly achieve it. Most people’s minds are restless, preoccupied with personal and social interactions and constraints.

Taijiquan can only be accomplished by channeling the correct intention. Only then will the body's joints, muscles, skin, fascia, ligaments, organs, breathing, and nervous system be relaxed in a coherent manner. If the intention is too heavy, the body becomes tense, tightening and locking the different systems and tissues so that they lack space and flexibility to move. On the other hand, if the intention is too light, it leads to slackness and lethargy, “soft like water but lacking its strength and tenacity; like scatterings of loose sand”.

The seemingly profound Taijiquan is actually "nothing but a circle".

Taijiquan master Yang Chengfu said: "Taijiquan is made up of circles. Its entire combative capability is not based on individual techniques or set moves. Instead it’s all about circles - vertical circles, horizontal circles, oblique circles, countless and continuous rotating circles in the limbs, waist, whole body. When it reaches the peak of perfection, it is impossible for the enemy to break through. An exaggerated description mentions that a drop of water cannot pe*****te. Whatever comes in contact with it will be thrown out”.

Taijiquan theorist Chen Xin wrote: "Taijiquan is spiralling (reeling silk) method: Forward and Backward, Right and Left, Upward and Downward, Inward and Outward, Large and Small, Positive and Negative”. He also said, "As for the movement of hands and feet, there is nothing more than a circle. There can be no straight line. Simply, every circle is a circle of Taiji”.

The words of these past masters explain the characteristics of Taijiquan movement. That it is inseparable from circles. We must pay attention to and train our bodies, hands and feet to draw and walk circles, and for these circles to be connected before and after. Taijiquan is made up of these countless circles that are connected and unbroken to form spirals. The traditional theory of Taijiquan called the circular and the spiral rotational movements reeling silk movements, and the circles reeling silk circles.

Chen Zhaokui added: "Although each limb makes a spiral circle, but on the whole, Taijiquan is a holistic sphere”. From the surface Taijiquan is our body and hands and feet drawing circles, but from the overall point of view, these spiral circles are in fact our whole body rotating and rolling like a ball. Therefore, he urges players to have an overall concept of the body as a sphere when practising Taijiquan.

For our existing students, our 12 week Spring Session begins today. For Beginning Students and Mark’s on-going students, you’ll have an 8 week session beginning in May. Check the website for updated schedule details

Great Lake Tai Chi Great Lake T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Rochester NY, dedicated to the continuous teaching of Professor Cheng's Yang style Short Form since 1982