This season we embark upon the practice of a Soft Way of Zen Work, one of the most comprehensive routines of healthful movements practiced today. Stephen Watson of Clinton’s SomedayFarm.org leads us through Meditative Motions from across the greater world of Tai Chi.
This internal exercise system was developed as a meditative Martial Art with an emphasis on softness, continuity, and breath regulation. It has historically been practiced by senior monks to preserve vitality and martial skill into later life.
The series is a form of internal reservoir cultivation, mind clarifying, and spirit revivifying that consists of twelve movements designed to improve health, emotional buoyancy, and vitality.
Each sequence focuses on a different structure or system of the body and helps to promote the smooth flow of our vital life energy (our vivaciousness, our verve and our joi de vivre.)
The practice is gentle and can be done slowly (like Tai Chi) or swiftly - in either case with an emphasis made on smoothness and clarity of intent. This Temple-derived series is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. In fact, it is primarily practiced for health maintenance and is particularly popular among older practitioners due to its gentle nature and comprehensive health benefits.
This enjoyable and challenging exercise series is understood to develop Qì reserves, concentration, balance, and deep relaxation. The Softness in its title and at its core refers to suppleness and pliability, not weakness. This makes it suitable for rehabilitation, injury recovery, and elder practice.