Full and empty, double-weighted

In the various books on taijiquan there are many references to the concepts and practice of full/empty and double-weighted. I had taken them to be the same thing (and much that I read seemed to use the terms interchangeably). Yet, it was not always clear what was meant. I asked Master Jesse, and his explanation was very helpful.
These are two very different ideas in Chinese, and though the English translation sounds like the same there is a mjor difference.

Tai Chi Colorado Springs Boxing Association
Golden Rooster Stance

First full (yang) and empty (yin). This is the relative weight distributed between the feet. For example, if you stand on one leg (in say, Golden Rooster stance) the foot on which you stand is full (100%). If you stand in bow stance, the front foot is about 70% full and the back foot about 30% full. As you "sit back" the rear foot becomes more full and the front foot empty. In "Play the Guitar" is more like back foot 90% and front foot 10%. Much of taiji is the movement from full to empty in slow and graceful movement. The foot that is full does not move, only the empty foot. This is the way of balance.
There are good pics of the basic stances on the Tai Chi Colorado Springs Boxing Association web site.
What then is double weighted? Though it sounds the same in English is refers to something different: the relationship between the right side of the body and the left side. There is a correspondence between the right hand and the left foot, the right knee and left elbow and vice versa. In taiji form, if  the correspondence is between the right hand and right foot, that is said to be double-weighted and unstable. So, for example, in "Part the Wild Horse's Mane" the stance is bow, with, say left foot forward. The left hand has moved in a circle low to high; the right hand has blocked down palm facing down to the right side. Qi moved from the right foot (back) through the hips, to the left arm to the left hand. The forward left foot corresponds to the right hand blocking down. In this way there is a crossing of qi and great stability.
The key is the intention. Qi follows Yi. Energy follows mind. I take this to mean that as the form progresses, the mental intention is for the energy to flow in the spiraling manner.
Since Master Jesses's lesson I have been practicing this and found it very beneficial. I would say it takes practice to another level again.
Stay balanced!

Go with the flow of the seasons

I have always enjoyed the seasons. It bothers me when folk complain in summer, "It's too hot!" or in winter "It's too cold!" or in spring, "Roll on the summer!" or in autumn "This is dreary!" Life is too short, too precious, to wish it away, to not enjoy the present.
Taiji philosophy has enhanced my enjoyment of the seasons. In taiji the advice is to go with the flow of the seasons. Watch what happens in nature. Don't fight nature. Find nature's Dao. Modify life and practices according to the Dao.
This is from the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine, the Neijing. This ancient text comes form the third millennium BCE:

"During the winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rivers freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in winter. Desire and mental activity should be kept quite and subdued. Sexual desires especially should be contained, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the pores closed. Avoid sweating. The philosophy of the winter season is one of conservation and storage."

Ancient wisdom indeed! In the modern world we have devised many different ways of overcoming nature. Much of this is beneficial—warm clothes, warm houses to name two. Yet, according to the Yellow Emperor, we go against the flow (the Dao) at our own peril. There is much sensible advice in the ancient text.
In taiji exercise, the Dao requires a gentler, softer, more yin approach in winter than the other seasons. I am enjoying the winter. I am looking forward to spring when I can take my practice outside once again. But for now, conservation and storage feels good.

Anniversary (of sorts) reflections

At the beginning of 2010 I has the notion of "deepening my practice." Part of that was to take taiji more seriously and to practice daily. This weekend I completed a full year of daily taiji. Well, almost daily. I missed two days: one because of illness and the other because I was traveling and had a very early start and a full day. All in all 424 hours. I had determined to average an hour a day and I exceeded that goal. It has been quite a year and I thought I would post a few reflections.
What have I Learned?
I have learned how to breathe, how to stand and how to walk! Besides that I have learned 122 different taiji postures and how to get from one to the other. This has been great fun. Taiji postures have wonderfully picturesque names. Among my favorite are: "Blue Dragon Out of Water," "Scoop up Moon From Ocean's Bottom," and "Wind Scatters Plum Blossoms." Use your imagination to ponder what they might be!
Much that I have learned I have already posted to this blog. The philosophy underlying taiji has fascinated me. I have benefited greatly from focusing on how to live with constant change, how to recognize seasons and to find peace and balance in them. Taiji philosophy has added to my understanding of nonviolence. One of the hurdles people face when thinking through nonviolence is what to do when someone attacks. "Surely, you wouldn't just let them walk all over you?" is a common response. Nonviolence is about rejecting all violence, even from the aggressor. It is unloving to allow an aggressor to cause violence. Taiji neutralizes the aggression of the adversary, preventing the violence the aggressor is attempting. Taiji is profoundly nonviolent.
How do I feel?
Physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually very well indeed! Physically flexible, energized, strengthened, less tired. I have suffered for over ten years with a hereditary heart issue, "lone atrial fibrillation." My dad had it. My sister has it. For me it has been a minor inconvenience, with an episode about once a month. Over the last year I have had only two very minor episodes. My cardiologist in my recent annual visit said, "everything has calmed down." Good low BP, good heart rate, perfect EKG. Emotionally less stressed; more chilled.
What now?
Continue the daily practice. Continue teaching students in the Cortland taiji club and in my philosophical meditations class. In the fall I will be teaching a course on Chinese philosophy. After consultation with my most excellent and gracious teacher master Jesse Tsao, I will continue mostly Yang style taiji until I have completed 1000 hours. I will then turn my attention to Chen style. So really, more of the same. I keep you posted.
Play well!