| w in order to lead. One of the methods and | | | | learn to observe how and what they are doing so |
| practices for applying the idea and principle of | | | | that you can actually see them struggle to move |
| “invest in loss”. If you will allow the | | | | you or uproot you. |
| other person to push you into a position without | | | | Any overextension by your partner/opponent |
| any offering any resistance of your own you will | | | | becomes the handle by which you can easily |
| tend to find yourself in an excellent position to | | | | move them. Their smart choice (when they are |
| continue their motion and take advantage of what | | | | working on being sensitive to the position) is to |
| ever they have given you. | | | | not over extend themselves and give themselves |
| At first this is easier said than done. Everyone | | | | to you. The Tai Chi postures are, at least in part, |
| wants to resist and often at first will think (and | | | | as varied as they are to help practitioners learn |
| even argue) that they are not resisting the | | | | how to flow in many different directions so that |
| advances of their partner and will often accuse | | | | the practitioner has a method to utilize to go in |
| their partner of being tense. In part this can be | | | | the direction the energy is going instead of fighting |
| due to continually getting pushed and moved by | | | | the flow of power. Work the postures with this in |
| the partner and not being able to figure out how | | | | mind and you will find that your physical |
| to flow into the space that the partner is pushing | | | | understanding of direction and force will vastly |
| them into without falling or being moved or | | | | improve. This to is learning how to use |
| uprooted. | | | | “investing in loss”. |
| Drop root, go softer and let go of the need to | | | | Also, by paying attention to the force and |
| resist. At first this can be easier said than done. | | | | direction that your partner or opponent produces |
| You really have to be willing to let go. The upper | | | | you will get better and better at finding |
| body should be like a sponge and if you feel any | | | | unnecessary tension and over commitment, |
| tension then it is probably your own. Think about | | | | drawing off inappropriate tension and force from |
| it. Your partner pushes you from the start and | | | | others and you will also learn to feel when they |
| continues pushing. They use force to start with | | | | withdraw and change direction or become |
| and while you flow with their push you do not feel | | | | confused or indecisive while trying to decide in |
| resistance. When you resist you feel tension. Life | | | | what direction to push and what to do next. This |
| is much like this. | | | | will improve your sensitivity to the point that |
| You may have to go slow at first but with a little | | | | eventually you will push, move or uproot them |
| time and practice you will be able to do it much | | | | while they think they are getting you. The partner |
| faster and against a much bigger and stronger | | | | / opponent will not even feel you negate and/or |
| partner / opponent. Let them move you while | | | | counter their movement. In other words you will |
| you let your body flow into the natural position | | | | really develop refined skill and higher Kung Fu. You |
| where it wants to go in response to their push. | | | | will be getting excellent return on your investment. |
| Really feel it first and then as you get better at it | | | | Please let us know how this goes. |