Dr. Uhlmann asks us to consider the difference between the rigid lance and the supple bullwhip. Tai Chi Search Center Way Relaxation is not the same as sloppy loose, or drunk. He suggests we send relaxing messages to our body where we detect tension. Supple is the key word. Sitting in a correct upright posture will require tension in the spine. Totally relaxed would have us slump down into the belly, and excess tension will cause pain and discomfort. Notice also as you bring your attension to tension, that it builds up incrementally, and progresses through the various conncected parts of the body. If you clench your jaw for example, the tension will move up into the head, and down into the neck, shoulders and back.

Recommended Practice: Have a partner support your hands so that your arms are extended. Relax. Notice the sensations. Breath in, and relax again as you breath out. Your partner should feel your hands get heavier. Repeat. Repeat again, only this time, try and let your hands fall to your sides. Search for those sensations in form practice. Without a partner, raise your hands out to the sides as you sink by flexing the knees. Drop your hands and raise up suddenly. Repeat several times slowly, concentrate on relaxation in achieving the coordinated movement.

Decompress the spine: Start by relaxing the head forward and down, progressively relaxing down the spine until you are bent over at the waist Raise up from the bottom to the top, until the head is erect looking forward. Notice tension as you relax forward and raise back up. Let tension go. Slowly, repeat.

See Huang Hsingshien Video for more ideas about relax