When we start Tai Chi, whether our sessions or our very first class we go through our preparation stance which is wuji.
Now, very often we go over this stance very quickly because we do not have enough to time to go into it in great detail. However when you are at home you can take a few minutes to get into this stance properly before starting your tai chi practice.
What is wuji?
To try and explain this very simply, wuji is the nothingness that precedes anything/everything, it is the absence of thought and movement, it is the quiet that occurs before Tai Chi and to which we return at the end of tai chi. When there is separation , movement then yin and yang occur and that is Tai Chi. Let’s take a look at a couple of diagram that attempt to explain it.
Before we start to move, before Tai Chi can occur there is wuji.
Why is this important to my practice?
When you practice or cultivate this stance before your tai chi session you will be in a better frame of mind and will be better able to observe your practice therefore getting more out of it. Your body will be relaxed and will have released a lot of tensions and be better able to do tai chi.
How do I practice Wuji?
Get into you preparation stance. Feet shoulder width apart and pointing forward, hands relaxed by your side, shoulders relaxed. Open your joints, have a slight bend in the knees and put your hips in neutral (not forward or back), the lower half of your body feels heavy and rooted, the upper half light and pulled gently up. Breathe normally through your nose and stay like this for a few moments maybe even a couple of minutes. After this you can open tai chi. At the end of your practice return into wuji stance and stay there a few more moments.
This teaches us to take time to empty ourselves before our practice so that we can get replenished.
If you manage to get some time to practice this, please let me know how it felt, if it made a difference to your practice.
Feel free to post a comment or to ask questions if you have any.
Happy practice!
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