14 October 2005

Pastures new

I read recently that some of the most interesting poetry being published today in English is written by poets for whom English is not their first language. The use of words and rhythms (as well as the mindset) of such poets are often strikingly and refreshingly different. I remembered this after reading Corinna's comments to yesterdays post where she used the word "pasture" for "posture". Perhaps this is a more appropropriate word even, especially if one considers dwelling in a pasture/posture - grazing in it and becoming nourished by it. John has never recommended standing static in pastures, especially not a double-weighted one such as Riding Horse, because they work against a light lively mind. Far better to do the Form. If you do stand though it is possible to relax sufficiently to find the motion within the stillness. A posture should only ever be still because a light equilibrium has been established rather than a forced rigidity. The difficulty is to separate out and give some life and independence to the various equilibrated energies. This can be encouraged if you allow a subtle and gentle figure of eight into the sacrum - barely enough motion to be noticed. As the energies begin to shake loose of each other you can feel how the figure of eight encourages them to interact and breathe (almost like they are pushing-hands with each other). Liveliness is just a measure of the frequency of these interactions - the breathing becomes a vibration increasing in pitch. In a sense, your usefulness is your ability to embody all frequencies, from the lowest throb where a single pulse is a lifetime, to the highest fizzing tingle.

1 comment

Karen Puerta and Tim Walker said...

Standing is the one thing of all the things that I've tried that has really kicked my tai chi into life. You might be physically standing still but in energy terms things really get moving. It's also quietened my mind down.