A conference with my body.

Before I train I monitor my mental, physical and emotional state to present my case to my body on how I’m going to train during the day.

My body has its own intelligence that I know I can rely on. As I start moving it immediately starts communicating in its own instinctive language that is my first (not second) language and directs the format.

Some days it’s purely health, calming body, emotions and mind and when all excessive tension is gone, it opens, stretches, closes, compresses, twists and releases driving the energy through open channels. Often I close my eyes, turning all my senses inwards communicating and becoming one with my body. This method keeps me calm, patient, tolerant, empathic and able to let go of any negative emotion.

Other days it wants some excitement, so it spontaneously creates an opponent, meaning that it’s relating to the bodyweight, movement and technique of another. As Tai Chi is a stand up grappling art, in every technique the opponents force is utilised along with one hand assisting the other and the legs attacking below the waist at the same time. This requires a highly developed sense of coordination along with sticking, blending, redirecting and attacking vulnerable and vital points.

Energy is stimulated, stored, released and discharged with the skills having been developed in the health training.

The point of this post is to recognise the importance of body intelligence and language, we get too used to trying to bully the body into submission indoctrinated by influencers and gym rats, when we carry a far greater innate insight, intelligence, wisdom and knowledge.

If only we could talk to ourselves….