What is Taichi Light: Part 5

Movement Ten: The Swiveling Mirror (or The Lighthouse)

The Transition: At the end of the last movement, move your left arm to eye level with the palm facing you at about a foot or so from your face. Extend your right arm while keeping your right elbow at your side as if you were hugging someone. Turn your upper torso all the way to the right.

The Movement: Begin to inhale and turn your torso slowly to the left as far as you can go (do not turn your lower body) while locking your gaze on your left palm as if it were a mirror. At the end of the turn, change the positions of the two arms by rotating them clockwise; begin to exhale and turn your torso all the way to the right. When rotating your arms at the end of a turn, take care to do it gracefully. This is one movement cycle. Do this six times.

The Breathing: Inhale when turning to the left. Exhale when turning to the right.

The Imagery: Imagine you were holding a mirror and looking at your face. Since the mirror is always on the move, you must follow it.


Movement Eleven: Casting the Big Fishnet

The Transition: At the end of the last movement, continue to exhale and take a step forward with your left leg; bend forward and cross your forearms in front of you knees.

The Movement: From the transition position, begin to inhale, raise your arms (right arm clockwise, left arm counterclockwise) in upward curves while raising your body to a backward leaning position, as if you were pulling up a huge fishnet. Then, begin to exhale, continue your arms’ trajectory downward while lowering your body to a forward leaning position, so that your arms would return to the starting position in front of your knees.

The Breathing: Inhale when you rise up and lean backward; exhale when you bend over forward.

The Imagery: Imagine you were a fisherman, casting a big net to bring in the catch.


Movement Twelve: Pushing the Waves

The Movement: From the leaning forward position at the end of the last movement, keep your left leg forward, move your body forward with your arms outstretched, palms facing down. Begin to inhale and, while slowly moving your body backward, draw your hands to your waist, using your fingers to make an undulating movement. At the same time, shift your weight to your right feet and rest your left foot on its heel as you lean back. Then, begin to exhale, extend your arms and move your body forward, again in an undulating movement as if you were playfully pushing the waves. At this point, you weight would rest on your left foot and your right foot would rest on its toes. This is one movement cycle. Do this 12 times.

The Breathing: Inhale when pulling back; exhale when pushing forward.

The Imagery: Imagine you were playing at a Hawaiian beach knee-deep in the warm and glistening water, helping wave after wave of that foaming liquid going back to the ocean.

Remark: The key is to use your hands and figers to imitate the undulating waves and put your body in a graceful rocking motion back and forth.

(To acquire a DVD video of Taichi Light, go to www.Taichilight.com)