Tags
calm chicago, Chicago, hillary johnson, qigong, stress-management, tai chi. mindfulness, world tai chi day chicago
- Lifting arms through water
- Opening the chest
- Painting a rainbow across the sky
- Separating clouds/taiji closing
- Backwards monkey
- Rowing the boat
- Carrying the ball up to the sky
- Gazing at the moon
- Pushing palm, turning the the waist
- Wave hands like white clouds
- Scooping up the sea and gazing to the horizon
- Pushing the waves
- Dove spreads it’s wings
- Punching in horse stance
- Butterfly dries it’s wings
- Turning wheel round and round
- Bouncing the ball, softy, softly
- Settling and balancing to close
It can be very helpful to know the names of each posture. One reason is that it make it easier to ask your teacher questions about the posture. For example, you can ask your teacher about, “White Crane Spreads It’s Wings,” instead of hoping that your teacher will know which posture you mean when you move your arms about in some not clearly definable way.
Another benefit, is that it helps you remember the forms, becoming like a sort of muscle memory nemonic. Knowing the name, moving the body, remembering and feeling your way become one integrated process.
So, above is my list. Please know that I have played some with the names. Since they arte translated by others from Chinese, I have tried to make them simple, memorable and sensible. They are only my take on it. You may have different and even better ideas. Love to hear them.
I hope you can enjoy learning these postures somewhere. If you are in Chicago, maybe come give Calm Chicago a visit. We are the only qigong, tai chi center on the near south side; convenient for South Loop, UIC, Chinatown and Pilsen residents. We have an 8-week Intro Class starting the first Thursday in March. Hope you can join us.
Till next time, practice well. Enjoy the journey.
