| One of the initial benefits that students realize from | | | | our spine is long and healthy. With our spine lengthened |
| practicing Qigong or Tai Chi is the improvement of | | | | our vertebrae are loosened and we decrease the |
| balance. Young and old alike can dramatically improve | | | | chances for illnesses and injuries to manifest in our |
| their balance through the practice of these ancient arts. | | | | spine due to stress and tension building up and residing |
| One of the first topics we cover in our curriculum is | | | | in our spine. |
| the five essential principles of balance. Thesefive | | | | As we move through our daily lives we always want |
| principles are as follows: | | | | to feel as if Hui Yin seeks the earth and Bai Hui |
| 1. Vertical Line Inside | | | | ascends to the sky so that our spine remains long and |
| 2. Arrangement of the legs | | | | in a healthy, comfortable position. In this position we are |
| 3. Arrangement of the waist | | | | able to release any tension currently residing in our |
| 4. Opposite limbs cooperate | | | | spine and prevent any new tension from taking hold |
| 5. Only move the insubstantial | | | | there. |
| These five principles not only apply to our Qigong and | | | | Furhtermore, this line should always remain vertical. To |
| Tai Chi forms but they also apply to how we should | | | | stay in balance we never want to tilt our spine |
| move about through our daily lives. The first principle is | | | | forward, back or left or right. Tilting the spine puts undo |
| our "vertical line inside". Our top center of head | | | | pressure on individual vertebrae and also negatively |
| cooperates with the sky above, meanwhile, center | | | | impacts other parts of the body. You can see how |
| between legs cooperates with the earth below. With | | | | this applies with the often used tip to "lift with your legs |
| these two opposites cooperating our spine remains | | | | not your back". When you lift with your legs, your spine |
| long and healthy. Although a simple concept this one | | | | remains straight. If you bend over forward to pick |
| principle can have an immediate and profound impact | | | | something up your vertical line has been broken. Your |
| on your physical balance. | | | | spine is tilted and is in a position very vulnerable to |
| Bai Hui and Hui Yin are the acupoints at the very ends | | | | becoming injured from the strain of lifting. So as you |
| (top and bottom) of this "vertical line". In our Tai Chi and | | | | move through your daily life always remember to keep |
| Qi Gong classes we refer to Bai Hui acupoint as the | | | | that vertical line inside. In my next article I'll explain the |
| "top center of head" and Hui Yin as the "center | | | | details of the second principle: The arrangement of the |
| between legs". When Hui Yin seeks the earth below | | | | legs. |
| and simultaneously Bai Hui ascends to the sky above, | | | | |