Ride from Within Use Tai Chi Principles to

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

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.

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

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

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials