Silk Reeling

I really believe it is so important to have a good teacher that is able to explain things in an understandable fashion. Master Yu is able to impart information in a very good way. He uses a combination of verbal explanation and visual presentation to make himself understood. His demonstrations of application also help alot to get the information across.

Today I learned that all movements in the form use spiral energy. At first I did not understand that. I had incorrectly assumed that this type of activity was used only at varying times within the form I was learning.

It is not an easy thing to describe this activity of Silk Reeling. There is a combination of weight shift in the legs, and this is combined with a corkscrew motion in the body, that typically comes from the lower abdomen (the dantian) that travels out into the arms in a variety of different ways/directions that the practitioner will control and prescribe.

The use of silk reeling is implicit in all movements of the different Chen routines. The subtle, spiral turning and circular actions noted in the body presents a very beautiful motion and it is a development of true martial skill, or Kung Fu. It is a very graceful action, that is used to learn how to develop power and body coordination.

According to Master Yu, how different individuals will demonstrate and control the silk reeling will account for many of the differences seen in video clips, of one lineage or path of Chen Style Tai Chi compared to another. There are variations in the method of making the silk reeling, smaller or tighter, as people's understanding and perception of what they are doing grows, develops and changes.

It is really a nice thing to understand every small bit of knowledge and perspective I gain as I continue to study and practice. Chen Tai Chi is so very deep, and offers alot to the individuals that choose to pursue its forms and skill development.
J