01/07/2023
What a great example of yin and yang ☯️ It’s the relationship not the person. It’s not static and you don’t have much control, if any.
Stasha here, taking over Chris’ IG, with this meme I couldn’t resist sharing with you!
First off we already love Star Wars in Tai Chi analogies. It’s so Tao.
Secondly I love when new students start to get this concept. They always get so excited and have some many realizations coming in fast!
This really helps us let go of control and judgement.
The first thing to reprogram is the idea that yang is better than yin because yin is feminine therefore weak, yang is masculine therefore strong and strength equals superiority.
But as a dancer we know the quickest way to injury is to be too strong or too flexible. Strength which no flexibility leads to ripped muscle, tendons, ligament, even bone. I had stress fractures in both my shins when I was in ballet company, the bone literally torn apart. I’ve seen Achilles tendons snap and take a chunk of heel bone with it. It’s beyond gross to watch.
Similarly being flexible with no strength means popped joints, dislocation, also super gross painful injuries.
Balance is required to truest be strong - and this is why the concept of yin and Yang as relationships makes such a big difference in tai chi.
Punching doesn’t win the fight. If you’re all yang you are easily bested simply by avoiding til you wear your ego out. The humble opponent who hasn’t lifted a finger wins.
Seeing your place in ever changing relationships means you have ample opportunity to see your strengths and weaknesses.
We don’t have belts in our practice because there’s always someone who knows more and someone who knows less. You can be student and teacher in the same moment.
Ok enough rambling. What do you think?
Stasha out
