Single Raising 單舉 vs. Double Raising 雙舉

Single Raising 單舉 vs. Double Raising 雙舉

The phrase "調理脾胃需單舉" (tiao li pi wei xu dan ju) comes from traditional Tai Chi theory, often associated with health and internal energy regulation. It refers to a concept that managing the health of the spleen and stomach (脾胃) is linked to movements involving the single raising of the arms (單舉), rather than both arms being raised simultaneously (雙舉). This statement has both an energetic and physical basis in Chinese martial arts and internal cultivation. Let's break down the theories behind this concept, as well as how the shoulder blades play a role.

1. Single Raising (單舉) vs. Double Raising (雙舉)

In Tai Chi, the phrase “單舉” means to raise one arm at a time, while “雙舉” refers to raising both arms simultaneously. The idea of "調理脾胃需單舉" implies that certain health benefits, particularly those affecting the 脾胃 (spleen and stomach), are more effectively activated or balanced through single-arm movements. Here’s why:

Energetic Perspective:

• Spleen and Stomach in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): In TCM, the spleen and stomach are closely linked to digestion, the transformation and transportation of nutrients, and the regulation of Qi (vital energy). Movements involving the single raising of an arm are believed to activate the body's Qi channels more directly, especially the 脾胃經絡 (spleen and stomach meridians).

  • Spleen and Stomach Meridians: These meridians run along the front of the body and are influenced by posture, breath, and specific movements. Raising one arm at a time is believed to unblock or balance these meridians, promoting better digestion and overall internal harmony.

• Balancing Yin and Yang: Single-arm movements (單舉) can enhance the dynamic balance between Yin and Yang in the body, as they encourage an alternation of energy flow on each side of the body. The movement of one side (Yang) activates the other (Yin), creating a more fluid, regulated flow of energy. This process is particularly important for internal organs like the spleen and stomach, which are considered part of the Yin system in the body.

• Qi Flow and Central Axis: When you raise one arm, it tends to open one side of the body's Qi channels more fully, allowing for better flow of Qi and blood circulation. Raising both arms might dilute the energetic focus, making it less effective in targeting specific organs like the spleen and stomach. Hence, single-arm raising could lead to more precise and focused internal energy work.

Physical Perspective:

• Asymmetry Promotes Core Activation: From a biomechanics standpoint, raising one arm at a time forces the body to stabilize asymmetrically, which can better engage the core, including the muscles around the spine and abdomen, affecting the organs. The core stability is crucial for supporting and activating internal functions, including digestion.

• Controlled Shoulder Blade Movement: When raising one arm, the 肩胛骨 (shoulder blade) on that side moves more freely and allows for better range of motion, which in turn can activate internal organ massage due to better posture and spine alignment. Raising both arms simultaneously may limit this range of motion or create symmetry that reduces the body's natural ability to stimulate internal organs.

2. Role of the Shoulder Blade in Single vs. Double Raising Movements

The shoulder blade (肩胛骨) plays a key role in both single-arm and double-arm raising movements. The control and mobility of the scapula are essential for proper posture, energy circulation, and physical strength. Here's how the shoulder blades behave differently in these movements and why it matters:

Single Arm (單舉):

• Greater Range of Motion: When one arm is raised, the scapula on that side is free to rotate upward and outward (scapular upward rotation), creating a better stretch along the torso and engaging the shoulder more fully. This movement can help open the chest and stimulate the meridians running through the upper torso.

• Contralateral Connection: Raising one arm creates a natural twisting or spiraling motion in the torso, which engages the opposite side of the body. This contralateral engagement creates a more dynamic flow of Qi through the meridians, which can aid in the regulation of internal organs like the spleen and stomach.

• Improved Spinal Alignment: With one arm raised, the body tends to rotate slightly, helping to mobilize the spine and allowing for greater flexibility and energy flow. This movement encourages better alignment of the spine and the internal organs, which can promote better digestion and organ function.

Double Arm (雙舉):

• Symmetry Limits Mobility: Raising both arms simultaneously tends to limit the range of motion of the scapulae, as both are required to move upward and outward in the same direction. This can create tension in the shoulders and upper back, reducing the fluidity of the movement and making it less effective for internal regulation.

• Less Rotational Movement: Double-arm raising does not involve the same level of torso rotation or contralateral engagement as single-arm movements. This lack of rotational movement means that the body might not activate the internal channels and meridians as effectively.

• Static Posture: Double-arm raising can lead to more static posture, which may not be as beneficial for the dynamic stimulation of the internal organs, including the spleen and stomach.

3. The Axis of the Shoulder Blades (肩胛骨之間的軸輪理論)

The theory that there is an axis between the shoulder blades (肩胛骨之間的軸輪) is commonly referenced in Tai Chi and internal martial arts, where the shoulders and upper back are seen as rotating mechanisms, much like the gears (齒輪) in a machine. This concept is essential for understanding how the upper body moves in harmony with the lower body and how energy flows between the two.

• Rotational Center: The area between the two shoulder blades is often considered a center of rotation or an axis around which the arms and upper body move. This axis allows for the coordinated movement of the arms and torso, ensuring that the body moves as a single unit rather than in disconnected parts.

• Mechanics of the Scapulae: When moving the arms, particularly in single-arm raising movements, the scapulae rotate around this central axis. This allows the arms to move more freely and with greater power while maintaining the integrity of the spinal alignment. This rotational freedom is essential for generating smooth, circular movements in Tai Chi.

• Energy and Force Transmission: The coordination between the shoulders and shoulder blades ensures that energy from the lower body is transmitted through the torso and into the arms. This is why Tai Chi emphasizes the importance of relaxing the shoulders and allowing the shoulder blades to move freely, as tension in this area can block the flow of energy.

In this context, the gear-like axis between the shoulder blades helps explain why Tai Chi movements often involve coordinated rotations that begin from the core and are transferred to the arms through the shoulder blades. This ensures that movements are smooth, controlled, and integrated, allowing for the proper regulation of internal energy and physical power.

4. Theories of "Crossing Correspondence" (交叉合勁)

In Tai Chi, there is a principle that the body moves in connected and coordinated pairs, often across the body, creating cross-body connections:

• Same-Side Correspondence: This refers to the connection between the same-side joints: for example, the left elbow corresponds with the left knee. This principle emphasizes that movements on the same side of the body should be coordinated, ensuring structural integrity.

• Cross-Body Correspondence: Another theory is the cross-body connection: for example, the left elbow connects with the right knee. This concept is vital in Tai Chi because it allows for spiraling energy (螺旋勁), where the force generated by the lower body is transferred diagonally to the upper body, creating more powerful and fluid movements. This spiraling motion aligns with the diagonal connections of the body, which are essential for balance, power generation, and energy flow.

The concept of crossing correspondence supports the idea that both the same-side and cross-body connections play roles in Tai Chi movements, depending on the movement being performed. Both theories are valid within the context of different applications and can be used to optimize structure and energy flow.

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