Longwater Tai Chi - Practice Tip
Every month we intend to post a little tip that may help you with your Tai Chi or Chi Gung practice.
Cherish Your Knees
Repeat after me: "My knee is a weight-transference joint; my knee is NOT a weight-bearing joint; if I use my knee as a weight-bearing joint... I will feel *!**!&*" (* insert sounds of intense pain and suffering as appropriate).
Whenever a joint locks, any additional pressure or twisting is transmitted to the point of lock and will cause stress and pain. You should always keep your joints, and in particular the knees, slightly bent. The knees must neither bow outwards nor collapse inwards. They must be bent, and when standing be over the central portion of each foot. Relax the thighs and protect the front of the knees by opening the back of the joint to create a springiness - like a small balloon is wedged in the space between the two posterior tendons.
Think about these alignments as you walk around the house, climb stairs, sit, and prepare to stand. Can you do so without feeling any pressure on the knee joints? The more you cherish and protect your knees, the more mobile and therefore healthy you will be as you age.
March 2009
