WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014
WHY I KNOW JOINT LOOSENING IS IMPORTANT
By Inge Lewis
Students at the Columbia Tai Chi Center participate in joint loosening and active stretches during a workshop.
Sifu told us the story one day in class about a master who said that joint loosening was very important. He proved it by showing the student how flexible he was even at his venerable age. I decided to try it myself. For the past several months, every morning I go through the joint loosening motions. I did not realize its impact until one day I was in too much of a hurry to do them. That day was a minor catastrophe: I had unexpected aches and stinging pains; I was grumpy and impatient; everything was depressing; and my road rage nearly got out of control. From that day on, joint loosening was not only good for me, but vital. As a side effect, it also saves people’s lives.
Every morning, as I wobble through the motions, I take note of where the creaks and discomforts are: sometimes the shoulders, sometimes the wrists, always the knees. But I also noticed that my range is increasing. Some stretches I just love; others I approach with caution, assuring myself over and over that Sifu did teach us how to fall safely. What I have never been able to do, since I started Tai Chi in February last year, is to persuade my right foot to turn in such a way that I can place weight on its outer edge. Imagine my surprise when a few weeks ago, my right foot started turning! I nearly fell then. So every day, I can’t wait for that part of joint loosening to see how much further it can turn. That is just the physical part of joint loosening.
The emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects of joint loosening are very subtle, at least for me. It is the opposite of my bad day: there are no aches, except the normal ones you get after a class of stance training; I can see the silver lining on dark days; I am more patient; I concentrate better; I can produce a genuine smile; and, no matter how bad a day I have at the office, I remember that evenings and nights are my own.
I strongly recommend doing joint loosening every day, especially on days crowded with other events. Joint loosening in the mornings might also make you realize that you also have time for “Beating the Heavenly Drums” and “Push the Mountain” and other parts of Tai Chi you have learned to love. It made me realize that I am the one who arranges my timetable and I choose to use this time to satisfy my curiosity, to support my health, and to maintain my sanity.
To learn more about the joint loosening and Qigong exercises taught at the Columbia Tai Chi Center, sign up for our free class by clicking here.