Chiron
Tai Chi and Chi KungChiron
Tai Chi and Chi Kung
Our workshop took place in the colourful and exotic surroundings of the Scottish Carnival Centre amongst golden pillars and paper flowers with an audience of larger than life Venetian masked puppets gazing down on us.
We began with some simple warming up exercises which led on to the hand form. After this gentle opening session we moved on to the real purpose of the workshop by examining strengthening structure. Working with a partner, we took turns to maintain a stance in the hand form while our partner pushed arms/shoulders etc to test if our structure was sound.
Continuing in this theme, we began to concentrate on using the breath from the tantien to combine with and strengthen intent (Yi). Once again working with several movements from the hand form such as 'ward off left', our partner would provide a degree of pressure to the arms while the other performed the hand form movement as though unimpeded.
The afternoon session followed with some simple exercises allowing the body to learn to become more relaxed and ready to go with a push rather than offering resistance. A free pushing session ended our workshop mid afternoon leaving time for reflection on what we had learned.
Audrey Hillis
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