Ride from Within Use Tai Chi Principles to Awaken Your Natural Balance and Rhythm

by Shaw, James; Bray, Christopher; Strickland, Charlene

• ISBN13: 9781570763182
• ISBN10: 1570763186
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-01
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Summary

An exploration of Tai Chi as it relates to riding and to developing a mind-body connection both on and off the horse.

Author Biography

James Shaw has studied and trained in the martial arts for over 20 years. He currently lives in Arizon and travels extensively, teaching his techniques at clinics and expositions.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Note to the Reader	xiii
Tai Chi and Horsemanship	1	(14)
Tai Chi: Riding with Life's Energy, Connecting with Your Horse	2	(1)
The Yin Yang Perspective	2	(2)
Tao	4	(2)
Tai Chi, Horsemanship, and the Laws of Nature	6	(6)
Tai Chi, You, and Your Horse	12	(3)
Fundamentals of Tai Chi: An Ancient Art, A New Perspective	15	(18)
The Eight Principles	16	(3)
Dain Tians	19	(1)
Meridians	19	(1)
Putting It All Together	20	(1)
The Eight Gates	20	(13)
Gate 1: The Dain Tian	22	(1)
Gate 2: The Ming Meng	22	(1)
Gate 3: The Front of the Heart	23	(1)
Gate 4: The Back of the Heart	24	(2)
Gate 5: The Chi Who--Right and Left	26	(2)
Gate 6: The Liver and Spleen	28	(1)
Gate 7: The Upper Pass	29	(1)
Gate 8: The Crown	30	(3)
Your Mind: Awakening Self-Awareness and the Creative Mind	33	(34)
Unified Learning	34	(1)
Sensing and Intent	34	(3)
Tai Chi Exercises	37	(30)
Standing Meditation	37	(3)
Sitting Meditation	40	(3)
Side Step	43	(4)
Wrist Shaking	47	(4)
Sink and Circulate the Chi	51	(5)
Horse Stance and Wall Sitting	56	(6)
Walking Backward	62	(5)
Expanding Our Perspective: Tai Chi's Healing Path and the Gift of the Horse	67	(16)
Horse as Mirror, Horse as Healer	68	(1)
Laing Gong Exercises	68	(4)
Laing Gong Palm and Fist	70	(2)
Tai Chi's Internal and External Forces	72	(3)
Rider-Based Issues	75	(1)
Injuries and Compensation	75	(2)
Innate Fear of Falling	77	(1)
Control Issues	78	(1)
Your Horse as a Larger, Stronger Force	78	(5)
Your Breath: Learning to Breathe and Connect with Your Horse	83	(34)
Expanding Your Center through Breathing	86	(2)
Influencing the Horse with Your Breath	88	(2)
Chi Gong Exercises	90	(27)
Abdominal Breathing	90	(7)
Counting Your Breath	97	(2)
Open the Ming Meng	99	(3)
Embracing the Moon	102	(4)
Heaven and Earth	106	(6)
Breathing to a Halt or Walk	112	(5)
Your Body: Enhancing Your Movement and Power	117	(48)
Enhanced Mobility	118	(1)
Balance without Force	118	(2)
Enhanced Mobility Training: Laing Gong	120	(1)
Laing Gong Exercises	121	(44)
Neck Turns	121	(5)
Spread Your Chest	126	(5)
Spread Your Wings	131	(7)
Hold the Sky with Both Hands	138	(4)
Hip Circles	142	(4)
Thrust Palm in Bow Stance	146	(4)
Hold Knee to Chest	150	(4)
Bend with an Arch	154	(4)
Lift a Single Iron Arm	158	(7)
Application: Bringing It All Together in the Saddle	165	(54)
Having a Conversation with Your Horse	166	(2)
Follow-Match-Lead	168	(3)
Developing Your Program	171	(1)
Intent	172	(4)
Riding Exercises	176	(37)
Refining the Walk	176	(7)
Smooth, Invisible Transitions	183	(3)
Upward Transition: Walk to Trot	186	(3)
Downward Transition: Trot to Walk to Halt	189	(3)
Revisiting the Trot	192	(6)
Bending on the Circle	198	(5)
Canter	203	(7)
Lateral Movements	210	(2)
Jumping	212	(1)
Practical Physics: Riding Better Turns and Circles	213	(6)
The Road Continues: Health and Tai Chi	219	(18)
Healing Aspects of Tai Chi	220	(1)
Motion Meditation	221	(1)
Troubleshooting Your Own Riding and Health	221	(5)
Relieving Stress with Tai Chi	226	(1)
Rider Insights about Healing	227	(2)
Tai Chi and Longevity	229	(1)
Selecting a Teacher	230	(1)
Frequent Questions and Answers	230	(7)
Acknowledgments	237	(2)
Appendix A: Summary of Exercises in This Book	239	(6)
Appendix B: Anatomical Diagrams	245	(6)
Appendix C: Resources	251	(2)
Web Sites	252	(1)
Bibliography and Further Reading	252	(1)
Index	253