Lucy led a group to China where we had a cultural exchange at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. We perfected our tai chi by learning from Yang Style masters early one morning.
Tai Chi is based on correct posture and proper alignment to make the best use of your whole body.
everydaytaichi by lucy has developed "key words" that she uses to call out as the movements are done
Commencing Form
Parting the Horse's Mane
Focus and in your tai chi posture
50-50 means 50% of your weight is on your right and 50 of your weight is on your left.
Weight is evenly distributed
-Shift your weight to your right leg by
-Slowly draining the weight off your left leg and gradually lifting your heel to the toe.
-Lift off the ground when there is no weight on your left leg.
-Place your left foot on the ground gradually, first your toes then the heel about shoulder span
width
-Transfer weight until both feet are 50-50
50-50 means 50% of your weight is on your right and 50 of your weight is on your left.
Weight is evenly distributed
-Shift your weight to your right leg by
-Slowly draining the weight off your left leg and gradually lifting your heel to the toe.
-Lift off the ground when there is no weight on your left leg.
-Place your left foot on the ground gradually, first your toes then the heel about shoulder span
width
-Transfer weight until both feet are 50-50
WRAP your hands to the middle of your thighs.
Gradually lift up both arms by using your back muscles or CORE to elevate simultaneously as your inhale.
At chest level reverse the process as you exhale.
-Drop your shoulders and elbows again using your back core muscles to make yourself small.
-Soften your wrists.
-Drop your shoulders and elbows again using your back core muscles to make yourself small.
-Soften your wrists.
Left hand starts to hold the bottom of a ball 2 inches below your navel.
Right hand starts to elevate to hold the top of the ball at about chest level.
Form your ball on a T-Step
-Like the capital letter T , your feet take the letter T position.
-The left foot is placed on it's toes without any weight. Weight is on the back or right foot.
-Like the capital letter T , your feet take the letter T position.
-The left foot is placed on it's toes without any weight. Weight is on the back or right foot.
HOLD YOUR BALL
-Top hand is about chest level.
-Bottom hand is about 2 inches below your navel.
-Fingers of both hands are curved as if you are holding a ball.
-Top hand is about chest level.
-Bottom hand is about 2 inches below your navel.
-Fingers of both hands are curved as if you are holding a ball.
HEEL and HANDS
- Advance foot is placed out on its HEEL at a 90 degree angle.
-BOTTOM HAND leads and moves simultaneously with your advancing foot.
- Advance foot is placed out on its HEEL at a 90 degree angle.
-BOTTOM HAND leads and moves simultaneously with your advancing foot.
OPEN YOUR KNEES
-Both knees are opened in a slightly flared position or round out your crotch.
-Both knees are opened in a slightly flared position or round out your crotch.
BOW STEP or BOW STANCE
Front foot is straight on a 90 degree angle.
Body is aligned to the front foot.
Hips and Waist are aligned to the front foot.
Back foot is at a 45 degree angle.
Weight is in the middle.
Head is erect and suspended. Dan Tien is your center. Your cable is keeping you straight up.
Tai chi posture is not allowing you to lean forward nor backwards.
Front foot is straight on a 90 degree angle.
Body is aligned to the front foot.
Hips and Waist are aligned to the front foot.
Back foot is at a 45 degree angle.
Weight is in the middle.
Head is erect and suspended. Dan Tien is your center. Your cable is keeping you straight up.
Tai chi posture is not allowing you to lean forward nor backwards.
BOTTOM HAND advances at the same time you ROTATE hips.
SHIFT YOUR WEIGHT to 50-50 in your tai chi posture.
STRETCH OUT YOUR BACK KNEE
-Keep leg straight so that there is NO buckling or flexing of the back knee.
SHIFT YOUR WEIGHT to 50-50 in your tai chi posture.
STRETCH OUT YOUR BACK KNEE
-Keep leg straight so that there is NO buckling or flexing of the back knee.
SIT BACK all the way back until your front foot is on its heel.
-Weight is on the back foot.
-Flex your back knee.
-Back, buttocks, and head are in a straight line.
-Weight is on the back foot.
-Flex your back knee.
-Back, buttocks, and head are in a straight line.
OUT means to PIVOT on your heel at a 45 degree angle
-Hips are aligned to your outward foot
-Shift your weight to the outward foot
-Align your hips
HEEL means to step out by placing your heel in a 90 degree angle
-Hips are aligned to your outward foot
-Shift your weight to the outward foot
-Align your hips
HEEL means to step out by placing your heel in a 90 degree angle
BOTTOM HAND advances and takes a glove appearance with the thumb separated from the 4 fingers
which is formed closer to each other away from the thumb.
SERVE a meal or OPEN your flower as your hand slowly comes to the front of your body.
which is formed closer to each other away from the thumb.
SERVE a meal or OPEN your flower as your hand slowly comes to the front of your body.
TOP HAND sets to the side of your body in a cocked position.
Bend in the elbow.
Fingers are rounded or curved as if it is hold the top of a ball.
Bend in the elbow.
Fingers are rounded or curved as if it is hold the top of a ball.
To perform correctly, hands and feet move simultaneously and end at the same time in a synchronized manner.
SIT BACK all the way back until your front foot is on its heel.
-Weight is on the back foot.
-Flex your back knee.
-Back and buttocks are in a straight line.
-Weight is on the back foot.
-Flex your back knee.
-Back and buttocks are in a straight line.
Parting the Horse's Mane is done 3 times.
YouTube Playlist: Commencing Form
Slideshow: Commencing Form & Part the Horse's Mane
Tai Chi Walk
Commencing Form, Part the Horse's Mane
White Crane Spreads its Wings
Brush Knee
Playing the Lute
Repulsing the Monkey
Grasping the Bird's Tail
Single Whip
Cloud Hands
High Pat on Horse, Kick out Right
Double Punch
Kick out Left
Serpent in Grass, Golden Cockerel
Maiden Works her Shuttles
Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
Flash Arms like a Fan
Turn, Deflect, Parry and Punch
Apparent Closing
Cross Hands
Closing Form
Commencing Form, Part the Horse's Mane
White Crane Spreads its Wings
Brush Knee
Playing the Lute
Repulsing the Monkey
Grasping the Bird's Tail
Single Whip
Cloud Hands
High Pat on Horse, Kick out Right
Double Punch
Kick out Left
Serpent in Grass, Golden Cockerel
Maiden Works her Shuttles
Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
Flash Arms like a Fan
Turn, Deflect, Parry and Punch
Apparent Closing
Cross Hands
Closing Form
