Silk Reeling .... The Details

[rideforever]

Perhaps the experts out there can shed light on this.

With single handed reeling it's pretty straight forward because the ground is transferred to the hand/elbow/shoulder through the dantien.   But with two handed reeling you have arms going in 2 directions requiring 2 energies ... for instance upwards on the left and inwards on the right.   So my questions are:

 

1. Is that correct about the dantien transmitting two energies simultaneously ?

2. What is the connection between ground / dantien / arm .... is there a double source of the energy, first from the earth, then from the dantien-well, or is it all coming from the dantien or earth ?

 

Cheers

 

 

[Wu Ming Jen]

Unwinding a force intended to cause physical harm to your body would be the correct application. If someone is punching the force is only strong in one direction.  down, up, left or right their force is very weak.  Non - intelligent or dead force has only one direction.

 

When we put the cocoon in hot water we can then unwind the silk but it is easy to break the thread. One has to use a smooth  and continuous movement.

 

Split is also two forces moving in opposite directions. Two handed silk reeling trains left and right.

 

A smooth continuous movement that is able to change direction is difficult to detect so you maintain the advantage and control. telegraphing a move is an error as well as force on force.

 

You should have a partner to train silk reeling. 

 

Force comes from the ground, resistance of the earth. With proper body mechanics, alignment we can channel this force up through the body to manifest as power with any part of the body. Good luck

 

 

[OldDog]

Good qustions. 

 

Silk reeling is a difficult subject to understand ... and to practice. This is one reason a really experienced teacher is needed. Let me try to put it into words.

 

It has to do with all of those things we are told about ... alignment, connectedness and movement ... song, ding, peng, etc.The reason taiji is taught slow is so that you have time to observe and notice and learn ... mental and body... the nuances of these things. Taiji is not rigid and linear. It is relaxed and circular.

 

Proper alignment facilitates rootedness with the earth. In form, solid/heavy/stable below, light/agile/flowing above ... all while remaining connected.  Silk reeling facilitates the transfer of energy throughout the entire form. When one part moves, all parts move. Coiling, circular movement is very efficient way to move. 

 

While it is true that energy moves from the dantien, the physical form needs a reference point ... earth. Otherwise, when encountering another force ... emitting or recieving ... you would just bounce around like a man in outer space. Proper alignment allows the physical body to use the central core ... hips, dantien, back ... to manage movement. 

 

Solo silk reeling exercises are very beneficial in helping to learn about the rooting and connectednes. Start with single arm silk reeling ... both clockwise and counterclockwise ... alternate left and right. Pay attention to alignment and connectedness to the earth and how the central core transfers energy. Then at some point, add the other hand. Notice that when all is working correctly, it does not matter which arm is transferring the energy the coiling/uncoiling is the same grounded connected movement.

 

Later, when you have developed these senses and see them manifest in your form, then partner practice can be introduced. If you enter partner practice unrooted/unconnected ... you will not have the proper frame of reference for partner practice. You will be bounced around like the space man ... out of control. Don't rush into partner practice. Partner practice has a lot to do with developing listening skill. That is, sensing your partners movements and center. That will ultimately lead to push hands and chin na.

 

That's about as good as I can do explaining. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Wayfarer]

Whether you have one hand moving or two the dantien is still doing the same.  There is nothing different in the movement for one or two hands.  As it happens, the dantien does not exist.  It is a point that explains a feeling, an energy.  If you close your eyes and listen to what is happening within you will get to feel what the answer to your question is