Structural Relaxation/New Class Reminder – 5/9/22

It takes strength to overcome structure, and that is where technique plays a part. If you set your body structure correctly, you will force your opponent to use strength against you. It is this use of strength that allows the Tai Chi philosophy and techniques to best be expressed: the hard is overcome by the soft, the impatient by the patient, the stiff by the flexible, the unyielding by the yielding.

Structural relaxation is a term I use to explain the idea of placing the body in proper alignment, so that the underlying structure (bones, connective tissue) will deal with most of the stresses placed upon it. For example, proper postural alignment allows complete relaxation. If one leans in one direction or another, gravity will act upon the body in a negative way, causing the muscles to devote some of their energy to just maintaining balance.

When playing push hands, if the structure is placed correctly, the partner’s force will automatically be transferred to my root, actually making me more stable. This will either cause my partner to use more strength, thus making him clumsy, or he will start to move around trying to find an opening, which will make him vulnerable to counter-attack from my strong, rooted structure. If I didn’t have structural relaxation and alignment from the beginning, it would probably be me fighting to remain in balance, and my partner would not have to commit his strength to his attack.

Stephanie’s new beginning Long Form class had its first meeting on Wednesday evening May 4th at 5 PM and it was a smash hit. Chetzemoka Park is so lovely that time of day. There is still plenty of time to get started. Just show up. Or email Stephanie Morrell at stephmorrellpt@gmail.com. Have fun and learn valuable lessons on how to take more control of your health and well being.