Reeling silk | ||
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Silk
The silkworm spins its cocoon from raw silk.
Each cocoon is made of a single continuous thread of silk measuring between
1000 to 3000 feet long.
When the caterpillar eats its way through the cocoon, it destroys the silk.
The Chinese found that the silk could be extracted by boiling the cocoon and
killing the caterpillar.
This practice has led to the emergence of a number of protest groups who
feel that the method is inappropriate.
Drawing
The thread must be drawn from the cocoon in a very particular way in order
to avoid damaging the silk.
If it is drawn too quickly, the thread will snap.
Too slowly and it will sag.
The action must be slow and smooth, without any gaps and deficiencies.
Tai chi takes its strength from this operation.
Inherent peng
In tai chi the body needs to sustain a consistent
vector of force in a
given direction.
This is achieved by aligning the body so that a path is provided for the
force to travel along.
The path is called 'inherent peng'.
It cannot be broken when the body moves or turns, otherwise the ability to
transmit power is lost.
Connected
Reeling silk is a means of utilising the connective tissues of the body,
along with soft muscles, spine and waist - in order to provide this path.
The energy wave needs to use your body as a conduit.
If the channel is weak or tense in any way, the wave will be blocked within.
Your body must be internally strong and loose from the ground to fingertips.
Spiral
Reeling silk is markedly different from mere connection. Its unique quality
is the use of circularity. Spiralling and twisting provide the underlying
physical framework for this type of movement.
Winding
'Winding' or 'drawing' refers to action of bringing force towards you and is
reflected in the jing of rollback and pluck.
'Reeling' is the reverse of winding; in which force is projected (fa jing)
from the body by the use of spiralling.
When you perform reeling silk, your body should move like a caterpillar;
undulating, feeding an energy wave through the entire structure.
Circles and spirals
Tai chi gains its strength by way of the curved, and every movement
involves spiralling.
The twisting and turning of the body in tai chi is usually quite subtle,
with only the barest hint of spiralling evident to the observer.
It is important not to exaggerate the use of spiralling, otherwise the
joints will close and freedom of movement is lost. As with everything else
in your practice, intent is essential.
Chen style uses reeling silk in a more explicit manner than the Yang system.
Disconnection
Inexperienced exponents simply twist their disconnected limbs instead of
unifying the complete structure for every movement.
The use of reeling silk is essential during combat, where the wave-like
undulations are used to absorb and redirect incoming force.
Learning
Beginners start by learning how to perform a whole series of qigong/neigong
exercises which lay the foundation for reeling silk. Later, the same
exercises are then reconsidered with a different emphasis.
Coordination and timing become the focus, as well as alignment.
Progress
By moving the body in an increasingly integrated manner, the strength
increases and the correct muscles are used for the production of power.
Lines of force are critical at this stage. In particular the maxim: square
on the inside, round on the outside.
This builds up a lot of physical power and every movement feels to come from
the muscles of the central torso, back and legs.
Within
Eventually, the exercises are re-considered. Now that the correct alignment
exists and the muscles are working effectively, the focus shifts to rhythm
and flow.
Instead of feeling muscular, the muscularity has been internalised and can
no longer be felt. The kinetic wave is the onus.
Tzu-jan
Reeling silk skills will not emerge until later in the syllabus. It is only
later when reeling silk becomes a neigong that the full power is apparent.
The student must comprehend the exercises introduced in the beginners syllabus,
for these hold the seeds of what is to come later.
Contained
A tai chi student demonstrates reeling silk in every single movement. A
master internalises reeling silk until only the most subtle kinetic wave is
left.
Be advised that reeling silk can never be completely internalised. If you
can see no evidence of it in somebody's tai chi, then it most likely does
not exist.
Page created
18 April 1995
Last updated
16 June 2023
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