impromptu training with GM

Wed Sept 9, Edmonton, Alberta; approx 8 PM local time
Impromptu training with GM…how to move…

-GM tried showing us advanced skill, isolation of body parts while maintaining musculoskeletal structure with no tension/tightness in surrounding tissues
– a reminder of fact that GM is always teaching, he demonstrated movement, broke down the essential elements then asked us all what he had just shown us; none of us could articulate the lesson
– 4 stages, steps of learning in PM Taijiquan: 1. watch, observe, listen, 2. take chance to experience the feeling of GM body when he is demonstrating, 3. take notes as soon as possible, 4. begin to try to embody the lesson at whatever level you are capable of
– seems to me, as a rank beginner, about 23 mths training in PM, that for this beginner the process of changing my body into a mechanism that can produce skillful Taijiquan, especially Yin Yang separation, is quite challenging
– have already changed my body very significantly, it is looser, more flexible, have a greater range of motion in all joints, less muscular involvement in generating movement
– my flexibility is different than it used to be, it is dynamic, my body is becoming more like an elastic band than like a stiff, tight muscular one
– I have so obviously only begun to change my body in the ways necessary to carry out the movements necessary for correct PM Taijiquan; off to my 2nd practice session