Video: Coach Jim Demonstrates the Turning Cow

Coach Jim Roselando demonstrates the Turning Cow exercise

from Year One of the MIT Qigong curriculum.

Looking at the Limits. By Glenn Gossling

When studying martial arts one constantly finds oneself working against the limits of one's body. Different martial arts approach the limitations of the body in different ways, but all martial arts seek to develop the body and extend the limitations of its capabilities. 

For most martial arts this means doing physical exercises such as press ups and sit ups to make the body stronger and develop stamina, stretching exercises to make the body more flexible and thousands of repetitions of basic techniques to make the body more flexible and thousands of repetitions of basic techniques to make the body faster and more efficient. The approach of Taijiquan is slightly different, in that it begins by emphasizing the internal strength of they body. Basic exercises like Chan Si Gong and Zhan Zhuang strengthen the Dantien and improve Qi flow around the body. When the body is brought into balance and good health it can then be trained harder than by physical exercises alone. The danger with just doing physical exercises is that the body can easily be overworked and become exhausted, having a debilitating effects on the kidneys and pre-natal Jing - especially if the person has a deficiency to begin with. However, this does not mean that Taiji can overcome the physical limitations of muscles. 

Taiji's strategy is to side step the issue. Instead of using physical power or speed to overcome an opponent, it uses technique. A good technique does not need the same level of force that poor technique does. For instance a small insect or even a bit of dust can stop the strongest of people if it gets in their eye. 

Because Taiji does not prioritize physical power this strangely enough leads to it developing more. Taiji emphasizes posture, minimum effort and the coordination of breath and movement. In the majority of training one is taught to let one's skeleton carry the weight of the body, so that the muscles remain loose and relaxed. This means that one finds the easiest path of movement for the body so that the body does not work against itself. 

Because of this approach of doing everything without effort one can actually train much longer than if one only relies on muscles. It also means that when Taiji uses physical power, a greater percentage of the muscle's power can be put into the attack. This use of force is known as Fajing and involves more than just the use of muscles as it concentrates the body's entire energy into a strike or kick. The power of a punch does not come from the arm but the coordinated movement of the whole body. After years of training one can deliver a really surprising degree of force, but this also is just an extension of the limits of the body and not an overcoming of them.

Good technique does not overcome the limitations of one's own body, but it allows you to work more effectively against the limitations of an opponent's body. Taiji, in its understanding of the energy flows of the body, has extended the range of techniques available to it. Taiji can use technique against bone, muscle, sinew, organ, vein, breath, channel, and acupoint. 

From simply working with technique Taiji looks at developing sensitivity. Sensitivity pervades all aspects of Taiji training. One has to develop sensitivity to one's own body and movements and one has to develop sensitivity to an opponent. Sensitivity can be used offensively to improve the application of one's own techniques and defensively to undermine the techniques of others. et the sensitivity of touch can also have its limitations.

It is in its uses of strategy and energy that Taiji extends beyond the limitations of the body and confronts the principles of the universe. "Still, yet in movement; in movement, yet still - this is spirit."

Qi Magazine - Issue 46 - Winter 1999  

Video: Coach Jim Roselando Demonstrates the Crane

Coach Jim Roselando demonstrates the crane pose on both sides form two angles. Notice how your body changes by incorporating just three minutes on each side of this exercise into your practice. Half body posting!

Video: Coach Jim Roselando Demonstrates Gathering Qi

Coach Jim Roselando demonstrates the Gathering Qi Exercise from the MIT Qigong Year One Curriculum. Add ten minutes of this exercise at the beginning or end of your daily practice to relax the mind and coordinate the breath with the physical action. 

Sense or Senseless? by J. Reynolds Nelson

High level Qigong Masters develop their sense of Qi, through sight and touch, and more in their practice and may begin to use these characteristics outwardly.

While some Qigong Masters use their skill for martial purposes, many go on to use their special abilities in a medical capacity to help others. One special characteristic they have in common is that their senses are highly developed. They are able to see their patients in ways lower level practitioners are not. They see the circulation of energy, and are able to diagnose without Western scientific methods to a high degree of certainty. They may be able to move their energy into patients to augment the opening of blockages, even heal the patient. More research is being published now on these phenomena than ever before. Certainly, this area is controversial because of its lack of method of empirical measurements. It is often exploited by individuals of lesser character, but however predominately they may figure, we should not discount those few with genuine extra sensory ability. 

The expression of sensitivity on a spiritual level is one of the more difficult characteristics to develop for all practitioners of the Chinese internal arts. However, it is as fundamental to our training, as is the development of sensitivity on the Qi and Jing level. Indeed, in our culture we have many clues that this sensitivity exists even in our language. Take for example the phrases, "you could smell the fear on him," "it made my hair stand on end," "I could see that one was trouble from the start," "I should have listened to my instincts." 

On a spiritual level, we need to develop the sensitivity to recognize the sensitivity to recognize the development of danger before it occurs. Our perceptions must broaden beyond mere experience to sense all the elements of our environment as we pass through it. Being here now leaves little room for random voices in our mind or runaway emotions, both of which cloud our sensitivity. As both hunter and prey, our lives depend heavily on our ability to sense our way through the day. Those individuals characterized as insensitive seem to blunder their way from one disaster to the next. In a way, they develop the sense of finding trouble or fault in all things around them, stuck in a downward spiral of self-destruction. 

By being sensitive to the pattern and spirit of those around us, we can learn to find ways to avoid those of lesser character or be in harmony with balanced individuals without the loss of our own boundaries. However, if the need arises for the display of Jing or Qi, being in touch on a sensory level with those around us better prepares us to act more immediately. 

Learning to develop our sensory perception and awareness to a high level can benefit our training in many ways. It can develop our character and skills, as a martial artist or health practitioner beyond measure. It can help us to be in immediate harmony with those around us. It can broaden our experience to sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and sensations denied those who cut themselves off from life's fullness. Emotion and base instincts obscure the senses from reaching our true nature and deny us the ability to perceive. 

The development of greater sensitivity challenges many of our more base characteristics but likewise rewards us with a more peaceful and rewarding existence. And while it may be difficult to acheive, it is not beyond the grasp of any of us willing to invest in loss.

Qi Magazine - Issue 45 - Fall 1999

Global Standing: Long Nook Beach, Cape Cod

We woke up at 4am and rode our bikes three miles in the dark to Long Nook Beach, Cape Cod. We placed a camera in the dunes and stood in a natural post for thirty minutes while the sun rose. Although it is best not to practice in the wind, we enjoyed the energy of the Atlantic. We encourage you to share your own qigong experiences with us: qi@mit.edu

Wuji Zhuang with Coach Jim Roselando

Date: 10/3/11
From: Jim info@apricotforesthall.com
Subject: Wuji Zhuang

Hello,
     Tonight I am looking forward to doing something a little different.  Not only will this be the simplest set we have had done in a long time it will be the most effective way for you to truly sample deeper levels of relaxation.  When one trains Zhan Zhuang (or any form of Natural Qigong) we must make sure we do not use any extra force to make the exercise truly work.  The two guidelines for the training are for one to be loose & quiet and the rest happens naturally.  So, as Qigong practitioners we can only assist in the breaking of blockages (physical/mental) by following these guidelines and any extra thoughts or work will only have reverse effects on our cultivation. 

     It is said that Wuji is the mother and the Universal Post is the father of the internal arts.  Tonight we will focus on Wuji Zhuang.  The most common question asked about these two methods would be, What is the difference in cultivation between Wuji & Universal?  Answer, Not much!  The posture (body) and principles are the same and the only big difference being hand positions.  One of the benefits of Wuji is that it is less demanding than the Universal Post so you can "taste" a higher degree of physical, mental and breathing relaxation.  When you have experienced high levels of relaxation this allows your sensitivity (AWARENESS) to be greater in any exercise we practice.  I do want to tell everyone to do not under-estimate the effectiveness of the Wuji Zhuang!!!  If you think this will be too easy for you then I will say, come give it a try and let me know how you feel at the end.  I look forward to tonight's work out!

Time: 7:00-8:00
Location: Student Center/Room 491
Cost: FREE 

See you soon.

Peace,
Jim Roselando

http://www.apricotforesthall.com/
http://web.mit.edu/qigong
http://www.wingchunillustrated.com/