everydaytaichi.org
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    • lucy featured in Honolulu newspaper
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    • everydaytaichi background
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  • The Art of Tai Chi
    • What is Tai Chi?
    • Ken's Tai Chi Journey
    • Ken Talks: Importance of Gravity
    • Ken Talks on Proprioception & Kinesthetic Awareness
    • Ten Essentials of Yang Chengfu
    • Yang Style 88 Long Form
    • Yang Style 24 Movements Short Form
    • Yang Style 10 Form
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    • Ken Talks on Martial Arts Intent
    • Food for Thought
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  • everydaytaichi
    • What is everydaytaichi?
    • Where is everydaytaichi?
    • How did everydaytaichi begin?
    • How old is everydaytaichi.org? >
      • everydaytaichi.org celebrates our 5th anniversary
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    • What Are Some Opportunities for everydaytaichi students?
    • everydaytaichi Oldies but Goodies
    • everydaytaichi Gallery of Tai Chi Poses
    • everydaytaichi promotes everydaytaichi health
    • Lucy's Personal Project Apple Store in California
  • Tai Chi Aloha Around the World
    • Tai Chi During Global Pandemic
    • Tai Chi Aloha to Singapore >
      • Asian Civilization Museum
      • Aloha to Singapore Botanic Garden
      • Singapore Zoo & Aquarium & Museum
      • Aloha to Singapore River Walk
      • Lucy's Magical Tai Chi Ball
      • Gardens by the Bay
      • Farewell Singapore!
    • Lucy's Tai Chi Aloha to the Silk Road >
      • Come Take a Virtual Tour of the Silk Road
      • Lucy's Itinerary to the Silk Road
      • Lucy's Tai Chi on Silk Road
      • Come see the once in a life time experiences!
      • Taste the Food of the Silk Road
      • Ancient Treasures of Silk Road
      • Last Day: Beijing Walmart
    • Lucy's Tai Chi Aloha on Maui >
      • everydaytaichi family on Maui
    • everydaytaichi spreads tai chi aloha on Kauai >
      • everydaytaichi family on Kauai
    • everydaytaichi in Osaka + Kyoto, again
    • everydaytaichi in Hokkaido Japan
    • everydaytaichi at Osaka, Japan
    • everydaytaichi at Waikaloa & Volcano on Hawaii Island
    • everydaytaichi at Coconut Island, Kaneohe Hawaii
    • everydaytaichi on Baltic Cruise >
      • everydaytaichi in Sweden
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    • everydaytaich Ken Christmas Island
    • everydaytaichi Duets by Lucy & Ken
    • everydaytaichi lucy on Maui for 71st
    • everydaytaichi at Ko Olina Beach
    • everydaytaichi at Sequoia National Park
    • Gallery: Sequoia National Park
    • everydaytaichi in California: Irvine & San Mateio
    • Gallery: California- Irvine & San Mateio
    • everydaytaichi in Japan 2016 >
      • Japan Alps Gallery
      • Tai Chi Aloha in Japan
      • Tai Chi Poses In Japan
    • everydaytaichi visits New Zealand...a quick guide >
      • everydaytaichi in Auckland
      • everydaytaichi in Hamilton
      • everydaytaichi in Rotorua at a Farm
      • everydaytaichi sees sheep shearing at Argodome
      • Lake Taupo + Green & Blue Lakes, New Zealand
      • Wai-o-tapu Geothermal Spectacular Geyser
      • Waimalu, Geothermal Spectacular
      • everydaytaichi goes to Devonport, New Zealand
      • Redwood Forest, New Zealand
      • Huka Falls, New Zealand
      • Hobbiton, New Zealand
      • everydaytaichi ken cooking green mussels, grilling lamb...
      • everydaytaichi family having fun
    • everydaytaichi visits Alaska...quick guide >
      • everydaytaichi in Seattle, Washington
      • everydaytaichi on board ship
      • everydaytaichi visits Juneau, Alaska
      • everydaytaichi visits Skagway, Alaska
      • everydaytaichi visits Ketchikan, Alaska
      • everydaytaichi sails to Glacier Bay, Alaska
      • everydaytaichi activites on board ship
      • everydaytaichi goes to Victoria, British Columbia
      • everydaytaichi back in Seattle, Washington
      • everydaytaichi back home, Honolulu, Hawaii
    • everydaytaichi in China 2010 >
      • Beijing
      • Great Wall
      • Summer Palace >
        • Videos
      • Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City
      • Olympic Park Bird's Nest Stadium
      • Xian
      • Bund in Shanghai
      • Suchow and the Grand Canal
      • Yangtze River Cruise >
        • Videos
      • Chongqing
    • everydaytaichi does Luk Tung Kuen in Hong Kong >
      • Photos
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    • everydaytaichi travels to Southeast Asia 2011 >
      • Vietnam >
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      • Cambodia >
        • Tai Chi Videos
        • Videos
      • Thailand >
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    • everydaytaichi in the US >
      • California >
        • Tai Chi at San Mateo >
          • Tai Chi Videos
          • Family Album >
            • Aa's Newest Kid on the Block Comic Strip
            • ET's Comic Strip Page
            • Aa & ET Boulder Project Replica
            • Operation Bear
          • everydaytaichi Granddaughter's Album
        • Tai Chi in Ryder Park
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      • Massachusetts >
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        • everydaytaichi in Germany
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      • Maine >
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    • everydaytaichi in Europe 2009 >
      • Prague, the Czech Republic
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    • Zion National Park >
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    • everydaytaichi in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii >
      • Makapuu Hike Ka Iwi Trail Jan. 2015
      • Makapuu Hike Ka Iwi Park >
        • Makapuu Beach
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      • Sandy Beach >
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      • everydaytaichi at Ala Moana Magic Island Yacht Harbor, Waikiki Beach Sunset
      • Kuhio Beach, Waikiki >
        • everydaytaichi lucy in Waikiki Hawaiian Village Beach Walk
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          • Video
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        • everydaytaichi lucy at Waikiki Beach
      • Kualoa Park, on Windward, Oahu, Hawaii >
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      • Waikahalulu Gardens in Downtown Oahu, Hawaii
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    • everydaytaichi in Maui >
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      • Tai Chi at Iao Valley
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      • Family Album >
        • Video
    • 24 Movements Around the World >
      • Video
      • Commencing Form, Parting 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
      • Kick Out, Double Punch
      • Serpent in the Grass
      • Maiden Working 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
    • everydaytaichi friends & students spread their everydaytaichi aloha around the world >
      • the Chuns' Niu Valley Boulder Removal Project 9-2011
  • Special Events
    • everydaytaichi celebrates >
      • everydaytaichi.org is 10 Years Old!
      • World Tai Chi Day 2020
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      • everydaytaichi lucy hosts Prof. Li Deyin at Kilauea Park
      • everydaytaichi.org is 8YO, Lucy's Mother's 101
      • everydaytaichi lucy & ken celebrate Brennan's Kalani Graduation 2016
      • everydaytaichi lucy celebrates 3rd annual World Tai Chi Day at Kahala Mall
      • lucy Family Reunion to celebrate 70th
      • everydaytaichi lucy celebrates her 70th
      • everydaytaichi lucy celebrates 2nd annual World Tai Chi Day at Kahala Mall
      • everydaytaichi lucy & ken celebrate Justine's Iolani Graduation 2015
      • everydaytaichi lucy featured at the Mayor's Summit on Living Age Friendly
      • everydaytaichi lucy: Guest Speaker for Her Sorority
      • Lucy's Premier Show Private Party
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      • December 30, A Day of Multiple Celebrations
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      • everydaytaichi lucy "Rookie of the Year" Award
      • everydaytaichi.org celebrates our 4th anniversary
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      • everydaytaichi lucy hosts Yomeiji Taikyokuken Shikoku Chuo Tai Chi Club
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      • everydaytaichi by lucy celebrates family >
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      • Lucy, a life long learner >
        • Visitors from Japan Play Tai Chi at Kilauea Park
        • Makapuu Hike Ka Iwi Trail Jan. 2015
        • everydaytaichi Black Friday Special
        • everydaytaichi students at Mayor Country & Craft Fair
        • everydaytaichi student Dr. Joseph Young is the Mayor of Chinatown
        • everydaytaichi lucy \\"Rookie of the Year\\" Award
        • everydaytaichi lucy & ken welcome the Polynesian ship, the Hokulea at Maunaloa Bay in Hawaii Kai
        • everydaytaichi lucy speaks on Luk Tung Kuen and Tai Chi Hawaii COPD Seminar
        • Labor Day Monday at Aina Koa Park NON Instructional Tai Chi
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        • Lucy & Evelyn do LTK Kahala Mall Xmas
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      • Ken's Retirement >
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        • Narcissus Bulb Cutlture everydaytaichi ken >
          • Ken's Narcissus Culturing for Chinese New Year
          • Narcissus Bulb Crab Claw Culture
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          • Narcissus Bulb Culture 2013
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        • Fishing Tales
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        • Mixed Plate, a Potpourri of Carpentry, Landscaping, Gardening + More >
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          • Kwock Family Reunion Picnic at Bellows AFB
  • everydaytaichi4U
    • Everydaytaichi Home Style Practice
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    • Kilauea Park Classes >
      • Yang 10 Form Tuesday 10AM
      • Yang 16 Thursdays 9AM
      • Yang 24 Thursday 1015AM
      • Yang Style: 10, 16 & 24 Forms
      • Yang 88
    • Proper Alignment & Key Words >
      • Tai Chi Walk
      • Commencing Form, Part 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 the Horse, Kick Out Right
      • Double Punch
      • Kick out Left
      • Serpent in the 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
    • Refinement: Coordinating Body Movements + Breathing >
      • Lesson #1: Tai Chi Walk, Movements thru Single Whip
      • Lesson #2: Single Whip thru Closing Form
      • Lesson #3: Shift, Rotate, Spiral
      • Lesson #4: Complete Elements in Movement at Same Time
      • Lesson #5: Coordinate, Shift, Rotate, Spiral, Synchronize Elements
      • Lesson #6: Repulse Monkey, Grasp Bird's Tail, Cloud Hands
      • Lesson #7: Cloud Hands, Maiden works Shuttles, Turn Deflect
      • Lesson #8: High Pat on Horse thru Serpent, Golden Cockerel
      • Lesson #9: Needle at Bottom of Sea, Flash Arms, Turn Deflect...Closing Form
      • Lesson #10: Turn Deflect Parry Punch, Apparent Closing...
      • Lesson #11: Turn Deflect..., Apparent Closing, Cross Hands, Closing Form
      • Lesson #12: more refinement of Turn Deflect & Repulsing the Monkey
    • YouTube channels: everydaytaichi4u + MORE
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    • Warm Up Exercise
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    • Yang Style Tai Chi Back View >
      • Grasping the Bird's Tail thru Cloud Hands, Single Whip Back View
      • Single Whip High Pat on Horse, Kick Outs, Double Punch Front Back View
      • Serpent in Grass, Golden Cockerel Front & Back View
      • Serpent, Golden Cockerel, Maiden, Needle, Flash Arms thru Closing
    • 24 Movements Slideshow >
      • Commencing Form, Parting 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 the Horse, Kick Out, Double Punch
      • Serpent in the Grass, Golden Cockerel
      • Maiden Working the Shuttles
      • Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
      • Flash Arms Like a Fan, Turn, Deflect, Parry, Punch
      • Apparent Closing, Cross Hands, Closing Form
      • everydaytaichi students travel and keep tai chi alive!
    • Chi Kung & Tai Chi Music
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    • Types of everydaytaichi classes by lucy chun >
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      • NEW Tai Chi Classes Kilauea District Park
      • Spring 2016 Add On Classes
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      • Tai Chi Aina Koa Non-Instructional Session
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      • Private Lesson 1 on 1 Lesson
    • Luk Tung Kuen >
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      • Luk Tung Kuen Hawaii Kai Welcomes the Hokulea
      • Luk Tung Kuen Evelyn at Kahala Mall
      • Health Benefits of LTK 36 Movements
      • Luk Tung Kuen at Kilauea District Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
      • Luk Tung Kuen Celebrates Irene's 100th Birthday
      • Luk Tung Kuen at Christmas Kahala Mall
      • Luk Tung Kuen Instructions for Exercise
      • Luk Tung Kuen Led by Students Kahala Mall Honolulu, Hawaii
      • everydaytaichi students also do LTK
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Ken Talks on the Importance of Gravity
Gravity and thoughts on balance and alignment in Tai Chi
Figurative terms in tai chi try to describe the desired relationship one should try to achieve with the ground include: rooting, drilling down, clawing at the ground, substantial position or activating the bubbling well. They all refer to the attempt to gain connection to the ground.
A statement attributed to Cheng Man Ching is:”Your ‘root’ is already there for you. You don’t have to learn how to get it—just stop fighting gravity.”
Gravity is a natural force which exerts its effect on all of us as inhabitants of the Earth drawing us to its center and to the ground under us which stops us from getting there. Unless we are in a special zero gravity environment gravity exerts its effect constantly on our bodies.
Recognizing this reality and its implications can be easily overlooked.
Humans move about usually in an upright position and we need to have the correct body position for this to occur otherwise we will land in other body positions nearer the ground as in the example of a fall. It is important to maintain the proper body alignment that creates the correct body position to distribute this gravitational load most effectively.
One of the primary goals in tai chi is to harness our connection with the ground and some of the previously mentioned terms have been used to emphasize this point. In performing tai chi it is important for us to recognize the role of gravity and pay due diligence to move in ways compatible with its effect.
By aligning ourselves properly with the force of gravity we can access and harness intrinsic power and continue to direct it through proper sequences of movements, all the while seeking to maintain good relationship with the ground beneath us.
While originally used for martial arts training, tai chi is largely performed to provide the benefits of better balance in our daily lives as well as for other health reasons.
On a practical level, we are trying to learn better habits of alignment to employ in our daily lives to minimize the risk of falling and to provide us stronger and more efficient body movement.
Maintaining tai chi posture, centering , focusing on the dan tien and down to the planted foot are all points to consider to align the body when trying to establish and maintain our optimum relationship to gravity and the ground.
In a given tai chi movement the aim is to allow the body weight to naturally fall to the ground with correct body alignment to create a natural resilient support. This movement should be carried out with a minimal amount of muscle exertion in an effort to efficiently shift to the proper
position or alignment of body parts. Hence the essential point in tai chi states the it is the mind and not force that should move the body in tai chi recognizing, and seeking the appropriate bodily movements and alignments to achieve the desired effect.
Proper structural alignment allows relaxation to occur. While in proper alignment one can get into and maintain relatively posturally stable and efficient positions requiring lesser amounts of effort and energy to maintain. Whereas when the body is not in proper alignment or is in imbalance, muscles must use more energy to try to maintain and regain balance. The ensuing muscle tension affects both the body and the mind.
Rushing through our activities is very common in our everyday activities and can be the source of imbalance, if we forget that in order to maintain proper balance, there must be movement in proper sequence of our body parts and proper alignment in relation to how gravity is exerting its effect on our bodies.
By focusing on each detail in performing tai chi, the practitioner learns to live in the moment, concentrating, thinking and doing what is at hand. Moving slowly allows one to pay attention to each body movement in detail, teaching the body and mind to recognize and appreciate its linear and rotatory movements and their implication in maintaining proper alignment in our gravity based world. Attention to maintaining upright vertical posture throughout a routine, even levels of body movement while performing linear and rotatory movements, and movement of extremities in circle and spirals are basic tai chi concepts and are strategies on how to work with gravity to maintain optimum postural orientation. This development of self knowledge of our bodies and minds during the practice of tai chi can be easily adapted and utilized in helping us get about in our daily lives and activities.
In a nutshell: Gravity is always present and we need to recognize this and try to work with it to attain proper alignment. Tai chi can be an excellent method to teach our bodies and minds on how to do this.
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