stephen callaghan's blog

Since last Sunday's class I have been looking at  'why', when I step in San Ti Shi when using the stick, I more often and not end up in 'scissors' and not in San Ti Shi.

Context:
Two weeks ago, after practicing Stick in San Ti Shi—cycling "Chamber-Step-Strike" with the cavities and anchor sacrum—I got a surprising release of the ribs of the lower back. I mentioned that after about three days, my back "locked up a bit" and was feeling stiff.

After discussing this with Sifu, I went back to basics. I mostly worked on the foot couple and left the transverse couple out of standing, although I would still include it in other practices.

Wow! I feel so dumb sometimes. I've just noticed in stick practice just how much working with the foot couple, the pelvic couple, and the cavities takes the "excess slack" out of the fascia "body suit." I was practicing chambering, strike, parry, and thrust, and I could feel just how much more connected the parry was when I forgot about my arms and just attended to the couples and cavities.

Doh!! Better late than never, I suppose. :-)