Yijiang's Relax and Hold Method (鬆持法) and Openness and Closeness

Yijiang's Relax and Hold Method (鬆持法) and Openness and Closeness

In Tai Chi, openness and relaxation are closely related and both are essential for effective practice. Here’s how they interconnect:

Openness:

1. • Definition: In Tai Chi, openness refers to a state of mental and physical receptivity, allowing for a fluid and unrestricted flow of energy (Qi) through the body. It involves maintaining a posture and mindset that are open to movement and change.
   • Physical Openness: This means having joints and muscles that are not tense or rigid, allowing for full range of motion and smooth transitions between movements. Open posture helps in aligning the body properly and enabling efficient energy flow.
   • Mental Openness: It also involves a mental state of relaxation and focus, where you are receptive to the sensations and feedback from your body and environment.

2. Relaxation:

   • Definition: Relaxation in Tai Chi means being free from unnecessary tension and stress in both the body and mind. It’s not about being passive but about maintaining a state of ease that allows for natural movement and energy flow.
   • Physical Relaxation: This involves releasing muscle tension and avoiding stiffness, which helps in maintaining fluidity and grace in movements. Relaxed muscles contribute to better balance and coordination.
   • Mental Relaxation: A relaxed mind allows for better focus and awareness, which is crucial for practicing Tai Chi effectively. It helps in responding to movements and maintaining a meditative state.

Relation Between Openness and Relaxation:

• Enhanced Movement Quality: Openness and relaxation together contribute to smoother and more controlled movements. When you are both open and relaxed, your body can move more freely and efficiently.
• Energy Flow: In Tai Chi, Qi is believed to flow through the body’s meridians and channels. Openness ensures that these pathways are clear, while relaxation allows for the unobstructed flow of Qi.
• Balance and Stability: Openness helps in achieving better alignment and balance, while relaxation reduces the likelihood of stiffness and rigidity, contributing to overall stability.
• Improved Practice: Both openness and relaxation enhance your ability to sense and respond to subtle changes in movement and balance, making your practice more effective and harmonious.

By cultivating both openness and relaxation, you create the optimal conditions for achieving the flow and effectiveness that Tai Chi aims to develop.

In Tai Chi, closeness is a concept that contrasts with openness. It refers to a state of internal awareness and sensitivity, particularly in the context of physical and energetic alignment. Here’s what closeness means in Tai Chi:

1. Internal Awareness:

   • Focus on Internal Sensations: Closeness involves a heightened awareness of internal sensations, such as the subtle flow of Qi and the alignment of the body. It’s about being attuned to how your body feels and responds during practice.

2. Energy and Alignment:

   • Internal Connection: Closeness is related to the connection between different parts of the body and the way energy is distributed and managed internally. It’s about maintaining an internal balance and ensuring that movements are coordinated and harmonious.

3. Not Necessarily Tense:

   • Controlled Tension: While closeness does not mean being tense, it can involve a form of controlled or purposeful tension. This is different from unnecessary or excessive tension. It means maintaining a certain level of firmness or structure to ensure proper alignment and effective energy flow.
   • Supportive Engagement: Closeness can involve engaging the muscles and joints in a way that supports the structure and flow of movements, rather than allowing them to become slack or relaxed.

4. Balance with Relaxation:

   • Dynamic Balance: Closeness should be balanced with relaxation. It’s not about being rigid or tense, but about finding a state where there is enough internal awareness and support to maintain stability and alignment while still allowing for fluid movement.
   • Harmonious Practice: The goal is to integrate closeness with relaxation, ensuring that movements are both supported and smooth. This balance helps in maintaining control and precision while still allowing for the natural flow of Qi.

In summary, closeness in Tai Chi refers to an internal state of awareness and support, rather than an externally visible tension. It complements relaxation by providing structure and alignment, leading to more effective and harmonious practice.

A Nuanced Interaction between Openness and Closeness in Tai Chi Practice. 

Here's how they interplay during hand contact or push hands:

1. Openness:

   • When Joining Hands: Openness involves allowing your hands and arms to meet and interact freely, creating a space where you can sense and respond to the partner's energy. It means being relaxed and adaptable, ready to engage and align with the incoming force or energy.
   • Hand Relaxation: While your hands are relaxed, they are also open and responsive. This means they are not rigid but rather prepared to adjust and align with the partner's movements.

2. Closeness:

   • Receiving Energy: When receiving energy, closeness involves maintaining a state of awareness and internal structure. This means you are not collapsing under the force but instead holding your position with internal awareness, ensuring that you remain grounded and connected.
   • Internal Support: Even though you are relaxed, you maintain a subtle internal firmness or structure to manage and direct the energy. This internal support helps in maintaining balance and control without becoming tense or rigid.

3. Interaction of Openness and Closeness:

   • Dynamic Balance: In Tai Chi, the interaction between openness and closeness is about balancing responsiveness with internal awareness. You are open to receiving and adjusting to external forces while remaining internally aligned and supported.
   • Fluidity and Control: The combination allows for a fluid and adaptable response to your partner’s movements while maintaining your own stability and structure. Openness enables you to connect and adapt, while closeness ensures you do so with control and awareness.
   • Maintaining Awareness: During the interaction, you hold a state of awareness that keeps you connected and responsive without collapsing. This means you stay engaged and perceptive, allowing you to effectively manage and direct the energy exchange.

In essence, the interaction of openness and closeness in Tai Chi involves being receptive and adaptable while also maintaining internal support and awareness. This balance is crucial for effective practice and helps in achieving harmony and fluidity in your movements.