EXERCISES FOR ALL SEASONS: Jailhouse Tai Chi Form

"Jailhouse" Tai Chi Chuan form, sunset silhouette - 06/24/07 (Summer) This is my compact version of Prof. Cheng Manching's 37 Posture Tai Chi Chuan form http://youtube.com/watch?v=USJPmCZ6Efc condensed into a practice space approximately 4 feet square. That's about all the practice space I have available whenever I want to do some stretches near my computer. Usually, I do this compact version of the form indoors, near my computer, whenever I need to take a break and stretch out. Since I don't have more than 4 square feet of clear floor space near my computer, this is how I manage to squeeze all the postures into a tight practice area. I've heard the term "Jailhouse" Form applied to such compact forms. That's how I refer to it when I do it in a restricted space; or, like here, when I don't want to step outside the frame of a stationary camera. This rendition of the form contains a few slight footwork variations - - my moment-to-moment adjustments to the rough cement surface I'm stepping upon. Since the knee of the weighted leg might be injured when attempting a heel spin on such a rough, cement surface, I take a few small steps to turn around during "Kick With Heel," and "Sweep Lotus Kick." It's easy to spin on the heel on a smooth, polished wooden studio floor; there's hardly any friction there. But on rough, uneven terrain, attempting a heel spin while wearing heavily textured rubber-sole sneakers would NOT be beneficial to one's health. The heel of the sneaker sticks to the cement and barely budges, while the upper body continues to turn, producing powerful torque on knee ligaments and tendons, which can be damaged by the twisting upper body motion. Since the purpose of practicing Tai Chi Chuan is to IMPROVE one's health, not to cause self-injury, it's important to make adjustments to the terrain one is practicing upon. Therefore, when practicing on soil, grass, rough cement, or other uneven outdoor surfaces while wearing rubber-soled sneakers, I take a few small steps to turn my body around, instead of attempting to spin on the heel of one leg. These minor adjustments occur during "Kick With Heel," and "Sweep Lotus Kick." Also, to remain within the stationary camera's frame, sometimes I take a step backward instead of forward, or I step in place instead of taking a step forward. Otherwise, this is the full 37 Posture Tai Chi Chuan form taught by Prof. Cheng Manching. When one practices Tai Chi Chuan in a variety of different indoor and outdoor environments, one learns to adapt to one's surroundings. ** It's important to have a set of exercises that can be done EVERY DAY, regardless of weather. So there is no excuse NOT to exercise on a particular day! Exercises that can be done indoors, or outdoors. Exercises that don't require any special clothing, equipment, or special setting. One should have a set of core exercises which can be done indoors, and outdoors in all kinds of weather, during every season. One doesn't need a lot of different types of exercises, just some one knows how to do very well, almost without thinking. Just keep doing them, over and over, as a regular habit, during every season, indoors and outdoors. Not just during good weather. During bad weather also. Helps acclimatize the body to all sorts of weather changes. Strengthens body's endurance, and ability to adapt to all types of external weather conditions. Stale indoor air, full of carbon dioxide, can make one sleepy. It's important to "air out the body" regularly by exercising outdoors and breathing fresh air. I always feel better, "more alive," after I exercise - - especially outdoors, in fresh air. I began doing some of these exercises when I was a teenager. I've continued doing many of these deep-breathing, chi circulating (Chi Kung type) exercises, on a daily basis, for 40+ years now. I turned 57 at the end of April 2008. These daily exercises continue to help keep me healthy, flexible, and full of energy. ChiGuy396 ChiGuy396@yahoo.com **

YouTube | March 22, 2008

Tags:. .balance. .smooth. .slight. .refer. .sunset