Skip to Content

Strength and Balance - Tensegrity

Prerequisite - Tai Chi Foundations

Strength & Power are terms used to describe the capacity to have an effect or perform work. Physical strength can be distinguished from Strength of Materials. In the UCB Program, Structure best describes what we endeavor to accomplish through our various methods. Specifically, we begin with the tensegrity model and anatomy trains. Specific benefits of cultivating and refining ones structure can include:

  • Balance - Refined awareness of the alignment with gravity results in exquisite balance. Fewer falls means fewer injuries.
  • Endurance - Awareness of one's structure when moving results in greatly improved 'Use of Self'. An efficient movement uses less energy... more energy means greater capacity to get things done.
  • Pain relief - Better structure means the body can move naturally. The bits responsible for opposing gravity are clearly distinguished from those used for movement. When such comprehension is achieved, old habits fall away as can chronic structural pain.
  • Profound Relaxation - There can be no functional relaxation without good structure. By Functional Relaxation we mean a relaxation that is part of your condition, rather than an exceptional, fleeting, or occasional feeling.
  • Strength, Power & Resiliency - Injuries are lessened as the body is well knitted together. The capacity for work is greatly increased as well.

As one's awareness expands, structural 'habits' dissolve away and the body lightens, becoming more transparent to inner and outer forces.

See the Classes page for more information.

Kalama Sutta (Kalama Sutra)

Do not simply believe what you hear just because you have heard it for a long time.
Do no follow tradition blindly merely because it has been practiced that way for many generations.
Do not be quick to listen to rumors.
Do not confirm anything just because it agrees with your scriptures.
Do not foolishly make assumptions.
Do not abruptly draw conclusions by what you see and hear.
Do not be fooled by outward appearances.
Do not hold on tightly to any view or idea just because you are comfortable with it.
Do not accept as fact anything that you yourself find to be illogical.
Do not be convinced of anything out of respect and deference to your spiritual teachers.

You should go beyond opinion and belief. You can rightly reject anything which when accepted, practiced and perfected leads to more aversion, more craving and more delusion. They are not beneficial and are to be avoided. Conversely, you can rightly accept anything which when accepted and practiced leads to unconditional love, contentment and wisdom. These things allow you time and space to develop a happy and peaceful mind. This should be your criteria on what is and what is not the truth; on what should be and what should not be the spiritual practice.

-The Buddha

wikipedia entry

Lotus