Today I realised, why I like (our) Taiji that much. We had class (Patrick, John and me), Chén Xù was teaching. He showed us twisting the towel. Push the left foot and then don`t move (one point on the right side of the body), push the right foot, don`t move (one point on the left side of the body). This is the same principle Chen Laoshi explained in this video . When I heard Chén Xù`s explanation, I thought, that this is so illogical. Because, if you lock the right side and turn the left, and then lock the left side – there where you are – and turn the right, in the end you are moving forward. Although I saw Chén Xù doing it, believing his explanation, my mind said: How??? That`s not logical.
Just for joking I asked him about my worries and he said, don`t care about it!
This for me is the challenge and attraction. I always loved maths but practical method is more complicate! It seems to be so logical and scientific, but then very often, for me it makes no sense at all 🙂
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Sarah, interesting. I understand that you are referring to the testing towel drill. (Correct?) However, with respect to what Chen Xu was asking you to do, I still do not get the exact movements and don’t-move relationships of the hands and the feet. Could you explain a bit more. Thanks!
Push the left foot and then don`t move (one point on the right side of the body), push the right foot, don`t move (one point on the left side of the body).
If you lock the right side and turn the left, and then lock the left side – there where you are – and turn the right.
These two statements don’t seem to describe the same thing.
I will try to answer tomorrow with a short videoclip (I will upload it in the english group on wechat).
Good points Sarah!
Hi everyone,
I am from Sydney, Australia and this is my first post and hope it won’t be the last.
I found this interesting, so I decide to try it and feel for myself as described.
When I push the left foot and not move one point on the right side ( fix my right knee ) I found by pushing the left foot into the ground it opens my left Kua which also force my left arm ( which is in a fix position as in twisting towel ) to move forward without moving my hand, at the same time my waist is rotating to the right. Not sure if I am on the right track.
If you are practicing you are on the right track. Thanks for the description. Feel free to upload videos of yourself doing foundations or Yilu.