For those who start practicing Qigong and Taijiquan, the correct body position while exercising the “Tree” posture is of key importance. The beginners mostly are not able to keep the spine straight, so they bend the upper part of the body backwards, which leads to tension all over the body. As the result people get “bored” and “disappointed” with their practice. They feel like they are wasting their time and start asking themselves a question: “Is qigong really meant for me?”
What is the “Tree” posture?
To answer this question let’s look at what we can compare a tree with: a stele, an obelisk, a column… there’s no point going further than that. It’s the column, the vertebral column you need to have to stand still and straight like a… column. The body does not exist without the spine, otherwise it would be just a bag filled with bones.
That’s why the spine, as well as a tree – is the basis of life.
Why is it recommended to start the Taijiquan practice with the “Tree” posture?
The key body positions, that allow to stand, or, to be more precise, “to rest” in this pose without any external movement for a long time, let’s say for half an hour and longer, are the answer to this question.
a)
The knees are slightly bent (for beginners).
Like that the opening of the joint capsule slightly stimulates blood circulation in the lower part of the body, that allows nutrients and oxygen to access and “wash away” some temporary blockages and injuries, acquired throughout the life time.
b)
Now let’s touch upon the “main organ” – the vertebral column.
As the spinal cord, protected by the vertebrae, forms nerve endings that are connected to all the vital organs of the body, the comfortable spine position allows the whole body to relax.
c)
The armpits, as well as the knees, are open (as if we were holding soft nice balls under the armpits).
The goal is the same: to stimulate blood circulation, that will help to open the chest, to breathe freely, to enrich the brain with oxygen. Elbows are positioned close to the body and are pointing down.
d)
Special attention is paid to the cervical spine, as the correct “suspended” position of the crown of the head can be found by the means of opening exactly the cervical region of the vertebral column, it concerns especially the vertebrae 7th – the “vertebra prominens” and 1st – the “atlas”.
The “atlas” borders with the cerebellum. The cerebellum, on its part, is involved into regulating the functions of the whole organism. So when we create comfortable space in the cerebellum area, we create comfort for the entire body functioning.
e)
Body integrity is also the key point in making our life comfortable. What do we practice for?
To make the body function as a whole, to make all the systems work properly, and to make them work in harmony, not to be affected by the microbes from the outside, to share the positive attitude and wellbeing with the people we get in contact with, and of course with our loved ones.
f)
The lumbar spine forms the lordosis – the normal inward lordotic curvature of the lumbar region, that bears 60-75% of the bodyweight.
On top of that, proper functioning of the genitourinary system, legs joints, depends on the lumbar region. This is also where the sciatica pain originates in. And this is where healthy sex life stems from.