More tai chi stuff

My student in SW Engalnd has a site you may be interested in. Every month my teacher, Tom Baeli, and I write an article Gary posts there.
www.garyellistaichi.co.uk/

The Three Frames

The Three Frames

There are three “frames” we should be aware of in the practice of our technique. We teach the medium frame proportioning of stance in the standard execution of the form. This is in line with the “middle-of-the-road” philosophy of our system. This does not preclude the extremes but acts as a reference point.

The medium frame uses the one foot width and three foot length depth to establish the base we create with our lower body. Bending your knees provides the right height.

The other two are the small and large frames. Small frame means you keep your feet closer than the medium frame. It’s a shorter stance. Small frame might be used if you are older or have a structural limitation, possibly due to injury or it’s just the way you’re built. Maybe even space limitation would dictate practice of the small frame. It can be used as a confidence builder if you’re wobbly and doing this for the first time to improve or rehabilitate yourself. You don’t go any faster in small frame, you just shorten the stances. This is a good drill for all students just to become familiar with how it feels.

Large frame, as you probably guessed, is the extended stance version. This one is good for challenging yourself since it requires more strength and flexibility. It’s harder to do the weight shifts and stepping in large frame. The big challenge is keeping the muscles soft, working to do the form without relying on muscular power for balance. This, as the small frame, is also a good thing for all of us to try so that we are at least familiar with it. I do not recommend this for new students and it should not be done without first being looked at by your teacher. This should prevent injury if you are trying a little too hard. That touches on the discipline aspect of our practice, something that should permeate our efforts.

If you work in the frames and see the philosophy behind these versions you’ll also figure out that you can speed it up. It’s said that tai chi is just slow-motion kung-fu. Not true, for several reasons, but you get the idea.

Until next time,

Lee

Tai chi and Parkinson's disease

The New England Journal of Medicine had an article about a study that shows tai chi helps.
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1107911

Way overdue with updates

It's been months since I've been here to post and I apologize. Here's what's happening.

The tai chi classes in Round Rock have finally gotten underway. Weds mornings at 8:30 now. More info at www.rrkarate.com

Monthly article here http://www.garyellistaichi.co.uk/. My teacher, Tom Baeli, and I both write for Gary's site.

My websites have been combined into one at www.wedlakekenpotv.com I have opened a tai chi/chi kung video membership (cheap!)  there for those of you who want that little extra. You can try it for $1.

Doc Rowe is recovering from an injury but is still teaching in Ft Myers and will start a class on Sanibel.

That's it for now.

Classes starting here in Texas

I will be starting classes here in Round Rock, TX in February. An intro session will be held at 10am on Weds, Feb 15 at Round Rock Karate Academy in the Old Settler's Plaza at Sunrise and Old Settler's Bl.
You can register by e-mail by sending me a note at lee@leewedlake.com.

Resources on Aging

Check out the National Institute on Agings websites. You'll find tai chi listed as an exercise for balance at
http://go4life.niapublications.org/try-these-exercises/balance/tai-chi
Lots more general info at http://go4life.niapublications.org/ and http://go4life.niapublications.org/

Thanks to Doc Rowe for pointing me to this.

New site for students in England

My student in Plymouth, England is building a site. Here's the link.www.garyellistaichi.co.uk