The Ten Essential Points - #1 Shen (spirit) rising to the top

Master Jim introduced us to the Ten Essential Points by Yang Chen Fu. This is a series of articles exploring each one in detail.

How do we explore this principle? What does it mean? First, there is the feeling of elevation of the Bai Hui point, what the Classics describe as the Golden Thread gently pulling you upward. The feeling of suspension is subtle, but I like to suggest the visualization of a marionette that is held from above with its feet just barely touching the earth. What this gives us is a sense of openness, where each joint is allowed to expand to its fullest, to open the channels. If we can also perceive the tailbone gently pointing to the earth, then we can visualize the spine in a gentle, expansive traction. I prefer to use the language 'tailbone gently pointing to the earth", as opposed to "tucking the tailbone" because many beginning students over-compensate and over-rotate the pelvis to tuck the tailbone.

How do we know we're in good alignment? Look in a mirror and observe whether your eyes and ears are level. Chances are, you're tilting your head slightly to one side. Have a partner observe you from the side. The suspension from above should naturally cause the chin to rotate down and inward just a bit.

We can loosen our neck by gently rotating our head in a circle. Gently bring your head forward, continuing over to the left, then to the back, then to the right and back to the front. You should make the movements slowly, and the tilt should not be to the maximum in any one direction. Think 70% at all times. Rotate a few times in one direction, then come back to center, and rotate in the other direction.

When standing Wuji, visualize your neck vertebrate are acting as one and are as thin as a needle. You're gently balancing your head at the top of this needle. Whenever you turn your head to look left or right, maintain that balance on the tip of the needle.

This practice will loosen tension in the neck and shoulders. Your head will feel like its's floating. To me, this is the goal, to loosen tension so that we are open and free. Most often, if we try to feel like our head is floating, we actually tighten our neck, which is counter-productive. Instead, we simply modify our alignment to allow the feeling to occur.

And the benefits? We're removing blockages, allowing energy to flow. If we direct our attention to the Bai Hui, then our energy promotes positive benefits in the brain, including creativity, alertness, memory, awareness, health.

Tom Wolf