Self-Healing
Offered here is the two key aspects of unwinding, un-learning (un-tuition) or re-connecting to the body. They naturally unfold one on another, to gradually re-connect and re-structure the the body to its innate natural state. These are the strongest way to heal from any form of chronic dis-ease pattern but without forced intent to do so, simply through how they make you feel; following pleasurable sensation. These 2 aspects of un-learning are below:
1. 內糼 Nei Gong
內糼 (陰) Nei Gong (Yin) - 站樁 Jen Jwung/ Inner Energy Growth (Yin) - Natural/ Tree Standing Posture
Jen Jwung/ Tree Standing Posture is the basis of all internal energy accumulation (Nei Gong). We unlearn how to stand mainly but also sit and walk without any muscular effort and through the weight of the body being carried only through the skeletal structure. This allows the whole of the musculature of the body to relax and soften and in the end for energy to flow freely. This is the base of self-healing but is normally done after Daoyin (below) which helps open areas of tension in the body so that one can get the most benefit and comfort from the Standing Posture.
內糼 (陽) Nei Gong (Yang) - 導引 Daoyin/ Inner Energy Growth (Yang) - Instinctive Body-rebalancing
This is about reconnecting to the bodies own ability to follow pleasurable sensation in its attempt to unblock tension patterns and rebalance the body. We unlearn the patterns of holding on and instead give way to following lines of pleasurable sensation that direct the body to squeeze and stretch in exactly the right way for an individual to unknot and allow energy to flow through the body especially in areas of postural imbalances and injuries brought on by innumerable dis-ease patterns and originating in the tension of the energetic contraction we call the "human-condition" or "me". Daoyin is often the first aspect of Nei Gong we do in a session to help open the flows of energy. It is more yang than Jen Jwung as it has more of an active component.
2. 陳家 - 太極拳 Chen Jia - Taiji Chuan: Chen Family - Grand Central-Balance Fist
Once the body is relaxed and unblocked then the body can move freely. We take what we have unlearned in Jen Jwung and Daoyin and apply them to the moving body. Starting with balance and connecting exercises, then to balanced-walking, we incrementally move into Taiji (often written as "Tai Chi/ Taichi"). Gradually we see how the body can move with relaxed solidness and dynamism but without tension and with the possibility therefore to defend itself with great power if needed. The word Chuan/ "Fist" is a term which indicates that Taiji has a martial connotation, but the martial applications of Taiji only become evident after a long while of detensioning and healing the body. The martial side is not the aim but the "fruits" born of strong "roots" , so I focus on these "roots" in my offering of Taiji.
The modern world is full of the war-like "No pain, No gain!" mentality in the way we look at the body. It is driven from the ego/ head forcing the body to be the way it wants it to be, not allowing the natural body to emerge. What this does is to expand the top part of the body forming a very rigid and tight formation that has weakness at the core and in the legs or "roots"; like a Ferrari body shell with a lawnmower engine! It is not connected or coordinated and is generally top heavy. This structure is the formation of mental-emotional and physical dis-ease but often it is seen as "being fit". This ideology of health is simply false or at best superficial.
The methods of reconnecting to natural healing response such as Jen Juwang, Daoyin and Taiji Chuan are all qualities that open the body energy to gradually accumulate, forming a strong base or "roots" so to speak. When the body has no tension in it, the body weight is not held by the muscles and tendons. Gravity is directed through the skeletal structure so energy accumulates in the legs and feet, like sand in an hour-glass. This eventually creates a solid yet flexible core and base without any forceful muscular effort. The natural body structure is soft and supple on the surface, with dense bones and tendons described as "cotton wool around iron". This occurs by following pleasurable sensation and listening to body limits not overriding them.
These self-healing methods are gravity-based they redirect the attention and energy downwards and we rediscover that our natural way of being is more anchored/ rooted in our feet and legs and less in our head. Gravity is our strongest ally. By returning to internal balance and structure the body doesn't have to struggle to hold itself and therefore we can move efficiently and in a relaxed way but connected and strong...much like a cat.
Typical Session:
A session will begin with some "warm-up" movements which open the joints and help you scan/ re-connect to the body and sense areas of tension. We then move into Instinctive Body-rebalancing (Daoyin) which helps prepare the body for the most important part which is the Standing Posture. Daoyin is about squeezing and stretching areas of the body, responding to instinctive movement and helping to clear tension. This we do for about 30-50mins.
After this we go into Jen Jwung/ Natural Standing Posture and see if we are able to find a natural relaxation, we do this for another 20-30mins.
After this we move into Taiji Chuan which is about attempting to bring the relaxed and solid structures of the previous aspects of the session into the forms of Chen Family Taiji which informs how to further connect the body and to build flexibility, balance and power. 20-30mins.
Overall time is 1.5-2hrs
DaoYin Equipment
Large size (12cm diameter) cork massage ball
The Health Instinct massage ball is of a 12cm diameter allowing you to deeply penetrate tissues but with less sharp angle as smaller balls.
Made of natural cork, it is ecologically friendly, strong and can last a lifetime. The cork naturally grips so it won't slip on walls or on your cloths.
Massage Rolling-Pin
Simple wooden rolling pin with domed/ rounded ends used for Daoyin self-massage.
Member of the Bristol Chen Tai Chi Association, www.bristolchentaichi.co.uk
Instructor: Tai Chi & Qigong Union for Great Britain, www.taichiunion.com