Cape Breton Tai Chi

Dr. McGilchrist's ideas about the brain and Tai Chi Part 3

Applying Iain McGilchrist’s hemisphere theory to Tai Chi transforms the practice from a simple sequence of dance like movements into a profound tool for mind and body integration. The left hemisphere focuses on narrow, targeted attention to control, isolate, and manipulate known details, while the right hemisphere maintains broad, open, and sustained attention to understand the interconnected, flowing, and embodied whole. In Western culture, the analytical left hemisphere typically dominates—treating the body like an inanimate machine. In modern times, we are in need of interconnection and a flowing whole where the mind and body connects together and with the universe. You can consciously apply McGilchrist's hemisphere theory to your Tai Chi practice by balancing the left brain with the right brain with four ideas. Here's the second:

2. Cultivating Broad Vigilance Over Narrow Focus

The Left-Brain Trap: Tunnel-visioning entirely on a single hand position or a target, losing touch with the surrounding space. As one is trying to learn it is necessary to pay attention to specific details, but this needs to be avoided as you progress. Also, be aware that it is easy to give attention to the hands and upper body and less 'natural' to be attentive to the feet and lower body. Very few people easily pay attention to the 'kua' which is so important.

The Right-Brain Shift: Open your awareness. Maintain a broad, vigilant field of attention that simultaneously senses your entire body volume, the floor beneath you, and the room around you. You have to learn and experience a broad, non-specific attention to your body and the space it is in. This is important as you progress in your Tai Chi journey.

Tai Chi for Cancer Support Class starting Sept. 9, Wed, at 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Contact me for more information.

I have been working on applying Dr. McGilchrist's ideas about the brain to Tai Chi.

If you're not familiar with Dr. McGlichrist, I'd encourage you to check him out. There are many great interviews on youtube and other forums. I was lucky enough to experience him as a speaker at a conference I attended a few years ago.

Applying Iain McGilchrist’s hemisphere theory to Tai Chi transforms the practice from a simple sequence of dance like movements into a profound tool for mind and body integration. The left hemisphere focuses on narrow, targeted attention to control, isolate, and manipulate known details, while the right hemisphere maintains broad, open, and sustained attention to understand the interconnected, flowing, and embodied whole. In Western culture, the analytical left hemisphere typically dominates—treating the body like an inanimate machine. In modern times, we are in need of interconnection and a flowing whole where the mind and body connects together and with the universe. You can consciously apply McGilchrist's hemisphere theory to your Tai Chi practice by balancing the left brain with the right brain with four ideas. Here's the first:

1. Shift from "Grasping" to "Flowing" Attention Mode

The Left-Brain Trap: Focusing rigidly on perfect angles, foot placement numbers, or checking off a list of postures. This creates stiff, fragmented movement. When you first learn a movement (form) you must focus on the details, but you also have to reach a point where you can let go of the details and enter the flow. This comes through repetition, allowing the movement to enter the 'muscle memory'.

The Right-Brain Application: Transition from narrow focus to a broad, vigilant awareness of the room and your body's overall volume. Experience the movement as a singular, indivisible stream of changing states rather than a series of frozen poses. This is basically Paul Lam's principle of Flow, start with details and let go of them over time.

Stay tuned for the next installment.

Fan Tai Chi with the class today. Something a little different. Everyone had fun.

I've been blessed to do Tai Chi in some special places, but never the CN Tower. Great job Lilli !!!

Breathing is not an official principle of Tai Chi but it is central to practice as breathing is a powerful regulator of the nervous system and health.

Here is Dr. Paul Lam describing the Dan Tian breathing method of Tai Chi:

Tai Chi Dan Tian Breathing Explained by Dr Paul Lam for Health and Relaxation In this video, *Dr Paul Lam* explains and demonstrates *Tai Chi Dan Tian Breathing*, a method of abdominal breathing used in Tai Chi practice to support rela...