Rewiring
the Nervous System through Taijiquan
One of the most important aspects of taijiquan
training at any level is that of maintaining a calm,
relaxed center. It is easy to spot when we lose that
quality. Sweaty, out of breath, muscles straining. Reptile
brain engaged, adrenals pumping, sympathetic nervous
system stuck in the "on" position.
Taiji training shows us it is possible to function at
a much higher level when not stuck in the fear-based
parts of our nervous system. Our DNA, experience, and
much of our training takes us into the more primitive
areas of our body/mind as our first resort when we are
stressed. Taijiquan channels the stress to access the
higher levels of human potential.
Internal
versus external:
In taijiquan
we have a martial art based on movement from the "center".
External, "hard" martial arts are based to
a large degree on generating momentum, propelling the
body's parts in a way that will do the work desired.
(Kicks and punches are "thrown".) Internal, "soft" arts
(taiji, specifically) emphasize internal connections,
particularly connective tissues and internal energy.
We extend, withdraw, and move from our center. Taijiquan
presents us with graduated training techniques, so
that we can learn to maintain that calmness despite
increasing challenges to the player.
The Taiji Classics exhort us to find the "stillness
in motion", and the "motion in stillness".
In taijiquan, we have begun a lifelong quest to discover,
explore, and operate from our center- physically, emotionally,
mentally, energetically, and spiritually.
"Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful."
Lao Tsu
Our
physical bodies are our most omnipresent reminder of
our lives in the manifest universe. Their relative
condition, health, gives us strong feedback about our
relationship to the world. In taijiquan, the ancient
wisdom is passed on to us in a way that is much more
immediate than words on a page. Each time we do a solo
form, we must find "central equilibrium" in
our bodies, then maintain it as we move. We then organize
our movements around this quiet stillness, creating
forms in our bodies that support and allow this quality
to inform all our actions.
Nervous
System:
The
Autonomic Nervous System is the part of our nervous
system that handles the more or less "automatic" functions
of our bodies. Things like heartbeat, breathing, metabolism,
digestion, etc. It is divided into the Sympathetic
Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous
System (PNS).
The SNS is the go-go-go part. It is ENERGY OUT. Playing
tennis, arguing with the boss, reading a novel. In
MOST people, it is too often kick-started by the
adrenal glands (fight or flight hormones) and results
in some involuntary muscular tension as we prepare
for the activity. Breathing goes to the chest and
the chi comes up. The Tendon Guard Reflex is activated.
The PNS
is the part of the nervous system that brings it all
back into balance. It is the ENERGY STORAGE part. Food
is digested. Repairs are made. Toxins are cleaned out.
It is largely directed by the "master gland",
the pituitary. Deep meditation is largely in the parasympathetic
mode.
We need BOTH. We store energy, make repairs, return to
center. We express energy, extend ourselves, make
stuff happen. Ideally, we seesaw between the PNS
and the SNS. Relaxed, active, vital, healthy.
Many people have lost the abiltiy to seesaw. Too often
we depend on that charge from the adrenals to kick-start
any activity. The adrenal "fight or flight" response
was designed to respond to physical threats to survival.
Sabretooth tiger = threat to survival = beat feet or
grab something sharp.
Modern living has blurred the distinction between an
honest physical threat to survival that can be best
dealt with by sending all our energy into our muscles
and narrowing our mental focus, and a "damn
nuisance" that can be handled best by calmly
examining our options and acting efficiently. Even
though driving in rush hour traffic is not assisted
one iota by tightening our grip on the steering wheel,
bunching our shoulders up around our ears, and considering
mayhem for the idiot that just cut us off, that is
a frequent response, unless overridden by the "higher
centers".
Taijiquan
gives us practice in making such distinctions.
The Four-Part
Brain:
Our brain
and that handy opposable thumb are the most obvious
physical characteristics that define our humanness.
There is a simple model of the brain (this is all influenced
by Neil Slade's book, Frontal Brain Supercharge) that
I have found to be really helpful in shifting to a
higher consciousness. It describes the brain in four
basic parts. I will be brief.
Reptile Brain. Most primitive part. Spinal cord, brain
stem, pons. Least differentiation. Its behavior is
defined by "competition for individual survival".
Fear.
Paleo-mammalian Brain (or Mammal Brain). Mid-brain. Limbic
system. Computes basic cooperative behaviors. Pack/herd
instincts. Suckling the young. Childlike play behaviors.
Responding in preprogrammed ways to things that are
present. Mammal brain transcends and includes Reptile
Brain, so behavior is influenced by both.
Primate Brain. This comprises most of the mass of the
human brain. Much more complex. Able to organize
simple concepts, group behavior, more complex play.
Chimpanzees, gorillas, baboons. Transcends and includes
Reptile and Mammal brain.
Frontal Lobes (of the Primate Brain). The stuff just
behind your forehead. Language, conceptual thought,
refined motor skills, aesthetics. The ability to
consider and allow for things which are not present.
Able to see "The Big Picture". Transcends
and includes Reptile, Mammal, and Primate Brains.
Can access each as needed. "For the Highest
Good".
Our DNA, experience, and education dictate which part
of our brain we access for different situations.
A small organ just behind the temples, called the
amygdala, seems to be the switch to trigger the activation
of the different areas. Techniques have been developed
to consciously "switch on" the desired
area. By moving more attention to the Frontal Lobes,
we can gradually free ourselves from fear-based consciousness
and behavior.
Taiji
Rewiring:
In taijiquan,
we have an excellent tool for first letting go of the
physical patterns which plunge us into a reactive state.
We learn to relax, letting go of chronically held patterns
of muscular tension. To calm the mind and move from
the center. We learn new structures which support our
bodies more securely and to move more efficiently,
thus enabling us to act effectively without resorting
to straining. The more secure we feel in our bodies,
the easier it is to calm the mind.
We are given lots to think about, which further activates
the frontal lobes. In push hands, the challenges
to the system gradually increase, enabling us to
handle even more activity while maintaining the calmness
and healing of the parasympathetic nervous system.
In free fighting, we learn to deal with apparent
physical threats without retreating to the Reptile
Brain, calmly perceiving the threats for what they
are and making the appropriate responses "For
the Highest Good".
It is here that the "Supreme Ultimate Fist" merges
with the concept of taijiquan as "moving meditation".
