Tai Chi is one of the few exercises that increases your body energy instead of “burning it up” according to University of California, Irvine (UCI) biophysicist Shin Lin. Lin measures this energy increase in his Laboratory for Mind/Body Signaling & Energy Research with biomedical instruments, an infrared camera, a photon counter that gauges light emission from the body, and a laser Doppler device that calculates blood flow. According to Lin, his lab can show that Tai Chi and Qigong increase blood flow and body energy levels. For the very first time, there is scientific data measured as heat, light, and electricity to prove it!
When using the figure eight pattern, the rotations of the joints, along with the spiraling and twisting movements of the torso, produce and direct amazing amounts of Qi. The stream of energy from the Dantian moves up the body and spirals up and down the arms and the legs. These movements open and/or prevent meridian blockages and produce a very healthy body and mind!
In a figure eight movement, as your weight is shifted from side-to-side, it is actually done on a backwards arc as your rotate from your waist. This is very basic explanation of a fairly complex movement. It actually requires a lot of effort and correction to coordinate the arms, torso, and the weight shift smoothly and effectively.
Let’s start with a simple weight shift:
With your toes pointing forward and your feet parallel, shift your weight from your right to your left foot and back again
Did you shift from the front of one foot to the front of the other foot? Did that feel comfortable and stable? Did you feel like you might fall forward?
Did you shift from the back of one foot (heel area) to the other? Did that feel stable or did that make you feel like you were going to fall backward?
Or did you shift from the center of your foot to the other? Better? Probably but still not very stable nor rooted.
Try shifting your entire foot (all 3 nails) to the other foot. This is stable and rooted, but not very dynamic! Taking a step would feel awkward.
Now try shifting your weight and center of gravity to the heel of your right foot.
Move across towards the front of your left foot to your toes (on the left).
Once the weight reaches your left toes, move your weight along the curve on the outside of your left foot towards and to the heel.
From the left heel, shift the weight across the center to your toes of your right foot.
Once the weight reaches your right toes, move your weight back along the curve on the outside of your right foot to the right heel.
You just completed your figure eight or horizontal infinity symbol! The more you repeat this pattern/cycle, the easier it will become. Eventually, with practice, it will become part of your muscle memory. Obviously, adding the hands after it does, adds a totally different dimension to this pattern.
Early in your practice, it’s probably best to start with a large, wide figure eight and to move more slowly and focus at the beginning. This allows your physical motion to lead the flow of your inner Qi. As you become more comfortable, you can reduce the size of the figure eight and direct more focus towards your inner Qi. Once you arrive at that point, you can increase your speed. Your flow will then naturally become more internal.
Of course, spiraling can be done in more than one direction and not necessarily a figure eight pattern. However, figure eight circulation, which includes both spiraling and twisting, is an excellent movement to move energy, clear and prevent blockages, and to generate stronger Qi energy.
Once you achieve a certain comfort level, you can add figure eight energy circulation to your Tai Chi and Qigong forms to clear out and prevent energy blockages in your body!
As was discussed in the previous blog, there are many energy circulation patterns that can be used to cultivate and ramp up your internal Qi. Figure eight is only one method! But it’s certainly an effective place to start!
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