postural alignment, smooth relaxed movements

Taiji & Qigong are traditional Chinese ways to train the body, breathing, mind, Qi & spirit. Training the body requires attention to postural alignment, smooth relaxed movements; & the body weight must be centred. Bending the knees slightly allows the lumbar muscles to relax. Tilting the hips forward slightly also relaxes the lumbar region and opens the Mingmen points. Standing tall lengthens the spine allowing good circulation thru the torso particularly the belt channel - the Du and Chong Mai. Shrug your shoulders to make sure they are relaxed. Image a space in the armpits the size of a table tennis ball to keep the H, Pc & Lu channels open.

Central equilibrium & developing a strong root is about ‘Wuji - a midpoint between the 2 polarities of Yin and Yang. Wuji can be physical as well as the mental. Wuji means - an erect relaxed balanced posture midway between Yin and Yang. This posture is loaded with the potential of moving to either a Yin or Yang position. This pivotal state of balance can become so sensitive that ‘if a butterfly were to alight on the taiji practitioner it would be sufficient to set the body in motion towards either a Yin or Yang.’

The Triple Warmer Channel, the Upper, Middle, and Lower Dantians store the Qi. The Upper Dantian, the third eye has high levels of electrical conductivity. The Lower Dantian - abdomen and pelvis is suspended between GV 4 and CV 7 forming a mass of bioelectric energy that supports the entire Qi apparatus. The Girdle Vessel, also called the belt channel supports and strengthens the immune system. They say, 'a singer's belly is full of Qi.'

The Lower Dantian is rooted internally by CV 1, Huiyin – between the legs which is the meeting point of the 4 Yin vessels supporting and rooting the body - Yin Linking, Yin Heel, Thrusting, Chong Mai, and Conception Vessels. In addition, the 4 vessels of the lower extremity, Yin Heel, Yang Heel, Yin Linking, and Yang Linking Vessels connect at the ankle channeling the Qi stream through KI 1 – Yongquan ‘the bubbling well point, rooting deep into the earth.