Practicing Tai Chi: Essential Techniques
According to "Huang Ting Jing", "the ( ) is for smoothing and calming the source of the way, internal observation of the subtle gazes completes the true, true being is in oneself, do not ask neighbors, do not seek cause from afar."
A relaxed body, not only refers to the relaxation of muscles and joints, but also the internal organs must be naturally relaxed.
At the same time, the exercise posture must be correct, if the posture is incorrect, it will not only affect the body's relaxation, but also affect the stillness, this is what ancients said "shape is not right, then the gas is not right, the gas is not right then the mind is not calm, the mind is not calm then the gas disperses and becomes chaotic."
Mental relaxation is to eliminate certain tense mental states. If the mind is not tense, it is possible to achieve true relaxation of the body. And the relaxation of the body and mind must inevitably lead to the unobstructed flow of meridians, without any blockage, which is conducive to the brain to enter stillness, and the breath is also easier to adjust.
However, people's mental state is not easy to become quiet, people often use "heart monkey and horse" to describe a person's mental activity. To subdue the numerous scattered thoughts and difficult-to-settle emotions, it is necessary to exercise according to a certain method, and it will gradually achieve "when you want to be quiet, be quiet; when you want to move, move", and enter the stage of following one's whim.
The law of the universe is natural.
'Natural' includes many aspects of practice, such as the exercise posture, breathing and intention activities, all of which should be carried out in a natural condition, not overly forced and artificial. This is what is often said "practice should be natural."
Intention and Qi are related.
It is essential to correctly recognize and handle the relationship between 'intention' and 'Qi'.
'Intention' refers to the mental activity of the practitioner, including thinking, intention, consciousness, mental state, emotion, etc., which is the function of the brain; 'Qi' refers to the human body's true Qi, inner Qi. In practice, 'intention' takes priority over 'Qi', 'Qi' is the foundation, 'intention' is the master, and the two are closely linked. 'Qi' is a basic substance of human life activity, and the cultivation of inner power is to cultivate 'Qi', 'Qi' is the basis, 'intention' is the master.
Specifically, during practice, you should strive to use 'intention' to guide 'Qi', 'intention' and 'Qi' go together, practitioners' mental activity influences the activity of inner 'Qi', and inner 'Qi' runs smoothly with the intention activity, gradually reaching unity of 'intention' and 'Qi'.
Adjust breathing.
Breathing is the main content of inner power exercise. According to "Huang Ting Jing", "immortal saints do not have gods, they accumulate and consolidate Qi to achieve true; ordinary people eat grains and five flavors, but only eat yin and yang qi."
'Only eating yin and yang qi' is the breathing cultivation method of inner power. Inner power practitioners are different, and the starting point of their practice is breathing. 'Qi' exists, life exists; 'Qi' is exhausted, life dies. Ordinary people only know to eat grains and five flavors, but do not know to breathe with their nose. Breathing continuously for a long time, but output is less than input, coarse and short cannot be fine and long, urgent and shallow cannot be slow and deep, which is a great taboo in practice.
Inner power cultivation must use 'mind' to control 'Qi', make 'mind' enter 'Qi', 'mind' follow 'Qi', day by day, long time, this is called fetal breath. At this time, the breathing 'Qi' fills the whole body, opening and closing, echoing with the hair orifices, and when breathing is affected by 'rise, fall, open, close'.
Incorrect posture, poor operation, and uncoordinated movements are eager to adjust breathing, or simply understand 'deep, slow, fine, long' breathing as deep breathing, forceful inhalation and exhalation, exhalation to the end, inhalation to the end, which will cause breathing blockage, or even headache and chest tightness. In short, breathing should be natural, not forced, and pay attention to intention guidance, gradually reaching the required state.
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