Today we introduce you to centering, an important technique for anyone interesting in martial arts, and also a great exercise for two people that naturally massages the internal organs and increases torso flexibility.
Rami's Blog
Like the Yin-Yang, Eastern Martial Arts and Western medicine are two halves of a whole. My mission is to preserve the ancient mind-body tools and pass them on to you.
Training the Yang Circle
This week, Rami demonstrates how to do the Yang Circle movement with a partner, and solo. This technique is great for practicing the integrating techniques like the bows and empty/full moon, and also for preparing for surgery as well as strengthening the upper body for martial arts training.
And if you want to make the most out of this new daylight and warm weather we have, why not use my Sunrise and Sunset Tai Chi books to start a mind-body routine that you can practice in the summer, and have memorized by winter?
Stretch and Release the Bows
Today's exercise, called Stretch and Release the Bows, is a great technique for anyone to use. It helps keep the lower back healthy, it improves posture, it improves hip stability, relaxes the shoulders and chest, and much more. Use this technique when doing all your Tai Chi forms to see even greater results.
If you are having severe Upper Back or Lower Back problems, consider looking at the courses I designed to deal with those issues as well. Stretching and Releasing the Bows is a technique you will use in both mind-body prescriptions.
Tiger Stance from Side to Side
This exercise is a great piece of martial arts training that can be used by anyone to increase strength, muscle mass, bone density, flexibility, and range of motion in the quads, hamstrings, groin, hips, and calves.
Remember, that you don't just want to be strong, you also want to be flexible, because when you are strong and flexible, you are powerful. That is the best you can be, because it means you move your body effectively and efficiently, accomplishing the most work with the least effort.
Do this exercise like you do the others, 15 repetitions to each side is beginners, up to 30 is intermediate, and up to 50 on each side is advanced. This is a good exercise to do if you want to change your usual Up and Down routine once in a while.
I hope you enjoy Tiger Stance from Side to Side! If you do, consider signing up for one of my courses on Udemy. There are long form and short form Tai Chi courses, which can fit any lifestyle, whether you are busy all the time, or already commit an hour a day to exercise.
If you are in the Boston area, don't forget that you can always schedule a private lesson with me, either at my clinic, or at your home. Check out my sign-up page to get the details or submit any questions you might have.
Happy Stretching!
Taoist Bubble Visualization + Posters
The more intense the meditation and visualization, the more helpful these posters can be. For instance, the Taoist Bubble Visualization and Meditation is pretty complex. You don't only visualize a bubble of energy around your body, but also the flow of impurities out of the body, the absorption of healing energies into the body, and the blocking of negative energies from entering. This complexity is why I often have the energy bubble as the last part of a longer meditation routine.
A great way to make things simpler, and easier to remember, are these posters! There is a lot to visualize while you meditate in this form, so a poster on the wall or the floor that reminds you of the steps and the parts of the visualization can certainly be a big help.
This poster has more text, and reminds you of everything you need to know about the visualization. The other poster has fewer words, and may help you concentrate once you have the meditation memorized.
Good luck, and Happy Stretching!
Counting Breath Meditation + Posters
Today's poster meditation is the Counting Breath Meditation. For those of you who are new to the blog, the counting breath meditation is a great for transitioning from the sound-guided meditations to the silent meditations. It helps you focus on the breath with each number, and is naturally very calming to do.
This meditation has two poster options, one illustration, and one photo. They both say the same things, so pick which ever picture you prefer to look at while meditating.
Which picture do you prefer? And which meditations would you like me to make posters for in the future? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Stretching!