Exploring Zhan Zhuang in the Forms

One of the supplemental practices we use is incorporating Zhan Zhuang within our form practice. Typically, you will begin a form and at various times during the form, you will hold a position. The purpose is to explore relaxation, alignment, awareness. A standing practice is one of the quickest ways to explore the truth of relaxation. When standing still, your body will quickly tell you where you are not relaxed. In a moving practice, you sometimes miss those moments of tension.

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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.

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