Sunday, November 28, 2010

Alignment 102: The Legs

The Classics describe transferring energy through the legs as though they were springs. During Tai Chi Chuan, the practitioner shifts his weight from one leg to the other dozens and dozens of times. Some of these transitions between yin and yang are fairly unique, most are repeated throughout the form, but all hold a common theme: the yin leg must be structurally stable enough (yang) to accept the energy from the yang leg, and the yang leg has to be relaxed enough (yin) to listen to the needs of the transition.

For example, let's look at the Bow & Arrow Stance. While coiling on the back leg; it should feel as though you are sitting back onto a stool, but there should still be some mobility in the hip and knee joints. The front leg should be fairly empty; however, some structure is required (bent knee aligned with the foot) for balance and also so that it can receive the weight transfer properly.

While it is helpful to think of the legs as springing, my teacher will also use the metaphor of pouring one's weight from one vessel into another. The point of this visualization is to be aware of your feet, and appreciate their relationship to your legs during practice. The integrity of your connection with the earth will affect the strength and direction of your energy. If your Bow & Arrow Stance is too long, your push will not go in the direction of intent. If too short, you will not be grounded enough to make an effective push.

Take a few minutes before class to practice shifting your weight from leg to leg very, very slowly. Listen as one leg fills up and the other empties. Do both feet remain completely grounded? Are you moving in the direction of intent? When sitting back, does it feel as though your legs will push in the direction you want to go?

Find your springs.