Open & close left hip-joint variations, front & side views - 07/07/09 (Summer)
These 4 exercises are related: they all involve opening and closing the hip-joint of the weighted leg; also, they all develop a firm root in the weighted leg.
The upper body turning motion BEGINS in the weighted foot's connection to the earth, and continues through the ankle, through the bent knee joint, into the weighted hip-joint.
Repeated opening and closing of the hip-joint is not really possible without a firm root in the supporting foot.
To thoroughly understand and experience this principle, while standing on one leg, the other leg completely lifted off the ground, try opening and closing the hip-joint of the weighted leg several times in a row.
Notice how difficult it is to change direction and go in the opposite direction if the weighted foot is not prepared to support the change of direction.
It's as if all the bones, tendons and tissues of the weighted foot act like the roots of a tree, intertwining deep into the soil, creating a firm base for the upright leg, so the muscles of the hip-joint can exert themselves against this firm foundation in order to open, and close the joint; in order to move the pelvic girdle (and the upper body that rests on it) in one direction, or the other.
Without a firm root in the weighted foot, it's very difficult to change direction in the weighted hip-joint from closing to opening, then again to closing. Especially three times in a row. The upper body will most likely lose balance from the ungrounded force, and tip over. The raised leg will have to be placed back down on the ground to steady the tilting upper body.
When the root in the weighted foot is firm, and the hip-joint opens and closes successfully without upsetting the balance of the entire body, then elastic tendon energy is being transmitted successfully all the way from the foot's connection to the earth, up the leg, through the pelvis, up the spine, to the top of the head, and also out the shoulders, arms, elbows, hands, and fingers. When the upper body (which sits on the pelvis) moves as one integrated unit with the opening and closing pelvic girdle, it transmits the turning force that begins in the rooted foot. "Total body energy" is generated.
Intertwining sinews / tendons, and other elastic tissues (ligaments, cartilage) which connect all the muscles, bones, and joints throughout the body, transmit this turning energy which originates in the foot's connection to the earth.
The power produced by this turning motion is significant because the largest muscles of the body are being used to generate this turning movement. The muscles that open and close the hip-joint are large leg muscles, and deep core muscles that connect the pelvis and lower spine. They are much stronger than smaller peripheral arm muscles.
I use this opening and closing hip-joint movement (total body energy originating in the weighted foot's connection to the earth) many times throughout a typical day - - to open and close my refrigerator door, heavy bureau drawers, kitchen drawers, metal filing-cabinet drawers, front door and backyard door, etc.
Each time I interact with an inanimate object like a door, or a drawer that I need to pull open or shut, I drop all my body weight through one relaxed, rooted foot (which adheres to the floor "like a wet mop"), and I open (or close) my hip-joint. My hand, which is attached to the door (or drawer), pulls it open, or pushes it shut with one unified total-body movement, continuing the turning motion that originates in my weighted foot.
I am practicing "total body jing" whenever I open or close a door in my house, and whenever I pull open a household drawer, or push it shut.
A small turning movement from my weighted foot and opening hip-joint sends a heavy glass door in my backyard sliding shut with a powerful thud. If I try pushing the door with just my arm, it barely budges.
These are practical applications of an important tai chi principle. They help me complete various physical chores throughout a typical day without straining or injuring my body, thus helping me maintain good health.
Opening and closing the hip-joint while being rooted in that leg is the "turn like a millstone" movement of tai chi. A small turning motion in the vicinity of the central vertical axis creates a large, powerful turning movement on the periphery of the upright cylinder / sphere.
I power every movement in my V-feet "Central Axis" Tai Chi Form
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDwty-oyDSY
with this type of "total body energy" which begins in the weighted foot's connection to the earth and continues through an opening or closing hip-joint.
ChiGuy396
ChiGuy396@yahoo.com
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Back & hip stretch in chairby mblazonyee1,221 views
tai hao hui neng chi kung kun jing ih yin she bi tao hai fu zhe xing hai go yong ge ong
alekx58 10 months ago