Posture/Alignment

In the womb, where we dream the eternal dream, we’re curled and though we practise ‘unfurlment’, our ultimate unfurlment is at birth. It follows, therefore. in waking action and deed, that the more erect we are the more conscious (awake) we’ll be; the more we curl (foetal posture), the more unconscious we become. 

In practising Tai Qi, the instructor often brings our awareness to posture, even before we begin to move, guiding us to have an erect spine and yet be supple. For rigidity, as in rigor mortis, is the extreme opposite to the foetal curl. In life, we want to find the balance point between these two extremes and the apex of life means to be erect but soft. 

Correct posture is all to do with the alignment of the spine. The spinal vertebrae at rest and erectness sit atop of each other with least effort; when we lean or bend, the spine has to adjust, and the effort increases exponentially. It is therefore more work to have your head bowed or your nose tilted to the sky. 

When observing the posture, first our own and then that of others, much can be read from it. Babies do this long before they develop their verbal ability. We refer to it as body language. The foundation of this language lies in the spine. The more erect you become, the less arrogant you will be, yet you will be assertive without being overbearing. 

In Tai Qi, this idea of balance is even expressed in the name for Tai Qi, which refers to yin-yang and the great ultimate balance between these opposing forces. In Buddhist terms, this could be described as the middle way.