A few months back, while refining my Taiji form at TToPA, I noticed a
difference between what I was doing and what the instructor was doing
during the transition from 'Serpent Slides Back' to 'Crossing Wrists'
(at the end of each section of the Slow Form). In my case, the
transition was somewhat symmetric, with the left hand and the right hand
forming the same arc at the same time and concluding in the posture at
the same time. By contrast, my instructor's left hand followed a much
shorter (more natural) arc that was at a slower speed than the right
hand, with both hands converging in the posture at the same time.
In
TToPA, we are taught from the beginning that the arms often move at
different rates even in seemingly symmetric movements (e.g. 'Conquer
Tiger') but this was the first time I noticed it in a movement where it
had not been shown to me explicitly.
Since then, I've
worked on fixing the timing and movement of 'Crossing Wrists' and have
become a lot more proficient at moving my hands unsynchronized while
still keeping the movement connected. This has not only helped in those
postures where I already knew that the hands needed to move at different
speeds but has also allowed me to see other places in the form where
the arms/hands move unsynchronized in much more subtle ways (e.g.
'Circle Foot and Carry the Hammer Forward').
I still
have to concentrate when doing these movements otherwise I fall back to
my synchronized ways but, when I get it right, it makes the transitions
more smooth an comfortable.
Monday, December 29, 2014
ILC: Training Status Update
Following up from my previous post, since the end of June I've been focusing
on Student Level 4 training rather than continuing Instructor Level 1
training - it just made more sense with my current schedule and
interests. I plan to revisit IL1 training at a time when it makes sense to do
so.
In the meantime, I'm looking for a workshop focusing on the Butterfly Form - keep me posted if you hear of one.
Happy New Year Everyone!
In the meantime, I'm looking for a workshop focusing on the Butterfly Form - keep me posted if you hear of one.
Happy New Year Everyone!
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