In the many different styles and lineages of t’ai chi, a common theme is that of flowing movements. In my particular lineage and practice, flow was taught as one of three important principles—the others being balance and clarity.
My teacher’s teacher, Gerda Geddes, described these principles as they apply to the process of learning. As to flow, she wrote this in her book Looking for the Golden Needle:
“The Chinese concept of flow and change is said to go back to the legendary Yellow Emperor of the Chou dynasty. He is thought to be the founder of Chinese medicine, and the story goes that during his reign there was a terrible flood. There was no outlet for the water and it became stagnant and putrid. The Emperor said, ‘What happens to the water will also happen to the human body if it does not move. Illness will creep in.’ He then started to build irrigation canals to direct the water and make it flow. This is also the basic principle of acupuncture. Energy has to flow unhindered through the meridians, just like energy, or Ch’i, has to flow through our bodies as we do the T’ai-chi Ch’üan.”
This powerful image evokes the idea of smooth, unobstructed movement. Imagine the channels of energy, and send the movement through those channels; then the form becomes dynamic and powerful, with no energy wasted or held anywhere.
Throughout its history, t’ai chi has been informed by nature, animals and harmony with the natural world. Water might be the ultimate expression of that worldview.
In the already-arid Colorado climate, we are experiencing a very hot and dry summer. Seeing a flowing mountain stream last week on a hike brought a welcome time of reflection on this beautiful and precious element of water. Strong, abundant and supple, it cascaded down from a great height. Other hikers dotted the banks, drawn to the cooler air currents and the sounds of splashing. We all lingered a while.
When I do my practice, or teach others, I sometimes suggest an image from nature as a guide. Then, that idea of lingering there allows the effect to remain while the mind goes on to other tasks. It’s a little like tarrying a while on the banks of some lovely stream. The water flows, rest in that, let the mind linger with the image and then allow a little of it to channel through your movement.
