How to Begin Building Root Without a Partner.

In the past couple of posts we’ve talked about the concept of root in Tai Chi and how far you can take it.

Now it’s time to get started.

The following exercise will help you begin to develop your root.

1) First, get in a solid, relaxed Wu Chi position.
Make sure that your Zhong Ding or central axis is very straight.

2) Now relax.
Release all the tension from your body.

3) Open the Bubbling Well.
This is a point on the bottom of your feet just to the front of center. This is an energetic gateway.

To open it let your feet relax and melt. Feel your feet spread out on the floor from the weight of your body pressing down.

4) Take a deep breath.
As you breathe in, fill your body with the breath. On the exhale, relax even more and feel any tension melt down into the floor.

5) Breath In
When you inhale, relax even more. Don’t raise yourself back up or bring your weight back up into your body.

6) Breath Out
Relax and drop more and more of your weight into your root.

Make sure to maintain a very correct Wu Chi Posture.

Once you are done practicing rooting, do Carry the Cauldron and Grand Tai Chi three times each.

This will help to balance your energy and make it yours. At a minimum, and better yet, in addition to doing these moves, walk around the room without attempting to root.

Practicing rooting by yourself is important to developing your root. You will need to learn to drop root on your own. However, you can progress much more quickly by practicing with a partner. In the next post, we’ll talk about how to do that.

Photo by: Konstantin Zamkov