Sinking the Chi (to the Tan Tien)

The three means to cultivate ch'i, the energy of vitality that we most focus on are sinking the ch'i to the tan t'ien, harmonizing the heart and spine meridians and threading the spirit of vitality to the head-top. First and foremost among these practices is sinking the chi to the tan t'ien. Having stated that I would post every weekend, I am now uncertain as to what manner of advice I can give on this topic.  Clear words are not easlily come by.

When I first began Taiji my abdominal area was as hard as a rock.  Relaxation was impossible even when lying down.  Little by little my belly has softened enough to sink the ch'i a bit.  As my ch'i has sunk my balance and stability have improved markedly.  It is still difficult for me to string even so few as several postures together with my ch'i stabilized in the tan t'ien.  Year by year, however, I get improvement. Success in this practice has benefited from learning not to use any force, to remain patient and calm, and to realize that the use of ideas, thought or opinions is not the use of mind that facilitates sinking the ch'i.

Before I write more on this topic I would like to hear from you.  What does it mean to you to sink the ch'i?  What is your experience? What means have facilitated success? What were the results?  What of this can be put into words that we might help one another with our practice?

Here are some notes on the topic:

 "Tan t'ien is a Taoist technical term which literally means the "field" planting the tan (an elixir or gland-like secretion conferring upon the owner super-normal powers).  In the practice of Tai Chi Chuan we are asked to keep the mind and the ch'i in each other's company in the tan t'ien.  Cheng Man-ching writes that "when the ch'i sinks to the tan t'ien all the internal organs above the bulk of the intestines will reap the benefits of freer movement - expansion, contraction or vibration - which will mean countless benefits in terms of health.  The more often one does this exercise, the greater will be the benefits.  Be constantly alert to utilize any spare moments for keeping the mind and the ch'i in each others company, which can be done when one walks, sits, or reclines, during travel by vehicle or on foot..."

Teacher Lo says that the tan t'ien is a point.

Recommended Reading:  CMC Thirteen Treatises # 3 and #11 (see prologue)
Wu Yu-hsiang; Insights into the Thirteen postures.

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Form Details; Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain

Apparent Closing
   Left hand inside right.  Both wrists above forearms.  Relax and open arms like a basket.

   Turn waist, move arms. Right palm down.  Left palm up.
   
    Simultaneously: Turn waist, move right leg (pick up foot as a unit, do not turn on toe), swing out left arm.

    Place right heel (45 degrees, shoulder width)

    Fold left arm.  Left forearm/fingers point towards target.

    Shift and turn.  Save enough turn (weigh and measure) to brush knee AND circle right arm and hand,        palm up, parallel to the right thigh.  At the same time strike out with left arm as in brush knee.

   Make certain that the movement is to the corner (feet are not in line with the cardinal direction.

   

 

Good Taiji Web Sites (If you know of others please let me know)

Great Salt lake Tai Chi (James Shook's site)
Wuwei Tai Chi Club
Peter Lim's Taijiquan Resource page
Brennan Translations
Best Tai Chin Videos (facebook)
The Willow Tree Post

Youtube videos

Cheng Man-ching
Wang Pei sheng
Wang Shu jin
Huang Sheng shyan
Ma Yue liang
Anthony Ho
Henry Wang