Chi and Dan Tien... Rotation, Breath and Intention

I think that one of the biggest obstacles to learning any Kung Fu system is understanding the English translations of Chinese Terminology, and then transmitting that understanding into action and perspective.

Shifu is always talking about Chi. Chi, many of us understand is "energy," or "air." This is a term that has to be taken on faith. We all have Chi. We can circulate or "direct" chi, depending upon our ability to breathe, AND, the intention of our mind, or imagination. Shifu has told me, "the chi will go where I want it to go... we have to visualize it and then direct it."

Shifu talks about us being able to use the lumbar area, or the lumbar spine during the movements of tai chi. As I learn more about the chan si and the rotation/circling of limbs; now I also understand that we have rotation and movement of our spine as well. Different sources on the net will discuss rotation of the dan tien.

The "dan tien" can best be described as a point several inches below the navel, inside our lower abdomen, near the center between the kidneys. By shifting motion of our lumbar spine, and pelvis, and control of our abdominal muscles, we can create motion of the lumbar spine that is supposed to work in conjunction with our arms/hands and legs, too.

This implies A LOT of motion taking place in any given action found within the tai chi forms. To get the appropriate motion and timing of the sequnce of motion to cultivate proper and accurate form, and hence REAL useful and functional application in fighting, will require slow and concentrated practice. First we learn to feel the motion, we want, then we get the motion and timing down, and then, try to apply it... faster and faster without losing any of the things we now understand are supposed to be present.

Clearly this requires patient practice and steady practice over time. I believe that gross motor movements can be learnt quickly and be applicable in very short time of training; however, to really master the motions and apply sequences in their entirety at speed, well, that may take quite a long while.

First we learn the terms. We familiarize ourselves with what the terms mean. We learn to control those aspects of our bodies, and then we apply them to practice. Then we apply them in our forms practice, and finally, we learn to apply all in a given moment's time.

We can do it!! Tai chi isn't magic, although it is magical. There is a science, there is an applicability we can and will learn.
J