02/12/2019
My approach to teaching the practices of Tai Chi and seated meditation, is to make both as simple and easy to learn as possible. My instructions are practical, scientifically based and down to earth. They are also directly, and immediately applicable to ones daily experience.
For example, a primary focus in Tai Chi is slowly transferring ones weight from one leg to the other. From the rear foot, up the rear leg, across the pelvis to the front leg, down to the front foot and back again. The principles are the relationships between stability and mobility.
Practicing these principles educates the legs and feet to be more aware and responsive to the ground while walking. A highly practical and thankful capacity to have here in Santiago, when
one considers the conditions of the road surfaces and how easy it is to trip and potentially fall.
Equally applicable to life on the Lake are the sitting skills learned in seated meditation. The very first awareness to practice is mentally locating the sit bones and gently pressing them down into the surface one is sitting on.
This action both roots the sit bones and establishes the pelvis as the foundation for the seated position. This action also activates the ligaments and muscles of the spine, and lifts the entire structure vertically into a more balanced and functional relationship with gravity.
A little bit of self learning can go a long way in countering the discomfort and stress of a bumpy Tuc Tuc, or butt slamming boat ride.
