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Inside the world of polarity

Nov. 17th, 2011 - Tai Chi Chuan - Inside the World of Polarity

For many practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan, concepts of polarity are mere philosophical sophistry. For others, they represent post signs for the expansion of their potential. There are many integral-variables to consider when speaking of the mind, body, and soul. Some people build the body, and ignore the other two realities; while others embrace the spiritual and neglect the physical. In order to bring our lives into a deeper totality, wisdom and understanding; we should consider all components of existing geometric realities. Some of them are well known; others are seldom mentioned, and others yet unpronounced.

The first level that many players are taught in Tai Chi Chuan are the di-poles ‘rising’ and ‘sinking.’ This is optimally achieved using ‘relaxation,’ ‘the breath,’ and ‘mental focus.’ To best illustrate this concept, let us imagine ourselves in a swimming pool. When we hold a deep breath, we can float in the water rather easily; and when we want to sink to the floor of the pool, we exhale our breath and deflate our lungs. From this model, we can understand the importance of ‘inhalation’ and ‘exhalation’ in relation to ‘rising’ and ‘sinking.’

The next level of advancement in Tai Chi Chuan comes in understanding ‘expanding,’ and ‘contracting.’ If we imagine a circle, and we graph four cardinal points on it its circumference, we would have: ‘rising,’ ‘sinking,’ ‘expanding,’ and ‘contracting.’ The further we expand these marker points, the greater the totality of the circumference becomes. Let us say that the ‘circle’ represents ‘advancement.’ What do we really mean by ‘expanding’ and ‘contracting?’ In order to expand our bodies we must first learn how to stretch-out ‘internally.’ This is exactly what the Tai Chi Chuan taught by Yang Chengfu (Old Large Frame) is doing. This is our ‘expanding’ phase. The ‘contracting’ dynamic usually creates a lot of confusion with people trying to understand the inner concepts of Tai Chi Chuan.

‘Contraction,’ means hard, and can correlate to ‘exhalation,’ and ‘inhalation;’ depending on the situation of training or fighting we are talking about.

The contracting phase in ‘pole expansion’ is muscle tension. When we exert ‘Fa-li’ we use a final ‘contraction’ to release the hard point (offensively.) Defensively we use ‘contraction’ to protect ourselves. If we use ‘reverse breathing,’ we can ‘contract’ and ‘inhale’ to protect ourselves against an attack; such as a weapon or limb.

When using ‘contraction’ against bodily manipulation (grapplers), we should use it on the ‘exhalation.’ The reason is that ‘sinking’ is best accomplished during this breath cycle (as explained in the example of the pool.)

Many Kung Fu schools such as Shaolin, and Hung Gar schools which broke off from Shaolin, use the Iron Wire method of practicing ‘muscle contractions’ for this very reason. The ‘Iron Wire’ skills used to be protected knowledge amongst underground Chinese Societies. The art-form also spread to Japan and can be found in many advanced levels of various Karate schools; and is best shown in the movie, ‘Street Fighter,’ featuring ‘Sonny Chiba.’

The final level of Di-pole advancement is ‘consciousness.’ Some refer to it as ‘projection.’ I prefer to call it‘consciousness,’ because the expansion of it, is what creates the 'dynamo effect.'

Inner awareness and outer-awareness are also used ‘defensively’ and ‘offensively.’ This is also referred to as ‘focus of intention,’ or ‘will power.’ This can sometimes mean the difference between getting ‘slightly injured’ in a fight, or on the other side of the coin; sustaining fatal injuries and ‘breaking bones.’

The details on how to expand these ‘poles’ (frugally) is detailed in my book, ‘The Lost Chambers of Tai Chi Chuan.’

What are the other advantages of ‘polarity’ besides the Martial Art aspect? They would include: Health, (Vitality, Potency) Rejuvenation, Psychology, (Checks and Balances) and Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s theory is based around ‘polarity.’ Hot and Cold, Bitter and Sweet, Bland and Salty, Acidic and Alkaline; all play important roles in determining correct foods, medicine, and herbs to administer to a patient. Although I find many good things in T.C.M., I am not a complete believer in their methods and practice. I need more scientific proof before consuming things like, snakes, scorpions, venoms, bats, and puppy dog tails! The main gauges I use as a litmus test of health for myself, friends, and family are as follows:

Diet
Blood Circulation
Circadian Rhythms
Psychological states

In order for someone to heal themselves using homeopathic remedies or natural medicine; one must figure out the natural mean of these four factors.

Knowledge of cellular makeup and function; as well as kinesiology play a major role in making wiser decisions toward a healthier and more vibrant lifestyle. Even minute things like food color play a factor in my decision making for a healthier life. Is it a coincidence that meats and tomatoes are red? Meat has Iron, which is important for cellular respirations functions, and Tomatoes are good for the heart.

Many reference books, dictionaries and encyclopedias have been written containing endless herbal formulations; which have enough prescriptions to make a doctors head spin—let alone an aspiring layman. I have studied many physiological books while studying for my Pharmacy Tech. certification many years ago. The more you know, the more you realize how much doctors really don’t know. You may be wondering why I espouse T.C.M over Pharmaceuticals and synthetic medications? The reason is that to eradicate a sickness you have to get to the bottom of it and treat it accordingly. The Pharmaceutical industry isn’t interested in a cure, they are interested in procuring your money.

So where does this leave us? It leaves us using knowledge and understanding to apply the ‘scientific method,’ to our lives and diets. We have to pay more attention to what we eat, what we say, and what we do.

This is the rudiments of my theory outlined below, which has been working for me wonderfully.

Sustainers – Good foods that sustain your health. Fruits, Vegetables, Meats, Eggs, Rice, Dairy, Nuts, Chocolate, Honey, Spices and Green Tea, are the main sustainers.

Supplemental’s – These are used during sickness and imbalance. Herbs, Roots, and Tonics…The main ones include: Aloe’s, Algae’s, Nigella Sativa, Echinacea, Ginseng, Ginger, Turmeric, Gingko B., anti-inflammatory’s, anti-histamines, and Astragalus, and Licorice. (Refer to Dr. Dukes, ‘The Green Pharmacy,’ book.)

Refrainers – Try to refrain from excessive consumption of when experiencing sickness. Wheats, Sugars, Processed foods, and Starch’s.

Avoiders– Try to avoid these at all costs:

Food Additives, Aspartame, MSG, Psychotropic’s, Vaccinations, and Intoxicants.

Foot note – Coffee is enjoyed by many people, but is considered to be an Excitotoxin. If you suffer from panic attacks, lack of focus, or heart palpitations, then you should cease and desist at once.

Thanks for listening!