This video is about slow and harmonious practice. During these exercises you should focus on matching your breathing to the pace of the movements. In other words, try to breathe in and out at the rate the move is performed, so that you draw breath in at the beginning and fully exhale by the end of each movement. Keep this rhythm and a steady pace. By the end you should feel your breathing and movements are synchronised.
You can follow along or do at your own pace. I recommend following along as I have modelled it in such a way that by focusing on me you should have a sense of serenity and calm wash over you. Just by observing I felt that way looking back on it! After going along with me, you can do it by yourself. Just gaze at the horizon and focus on your breathing once you have got the moves down. After a bit of practice they become automatic, and you’ll find they’re very intuitive. This is important, because if they’re complicated you’re always having to think about the details. Briefly, they are based on symbols and patterns of movement which have had intuitive meaning for thousands of years.
The first movement involves reaching up, around, and pushing out from the solar plexus, making a triangle shape with your hands.
The second exercise involves pushing out with the fingers extended. Alternating between hands.
The third movement involves pulling in and then also pushing out after that – to and from the solar plexus.
The last one involves stepping to the side as if to deflect an incoming punch.
The exercises are designed around actual movements fundamental to health, martial arts, breathing, and alignment. They also correspond to symbols our minds recognise as significant, for example the triangle and the circle. Although they can be performed at speed, as they have to apply to all settings, this is about practicing at a slow serene pace what underpins every day moves. Because you should keep in touch with those movements even under relaxation, as this keeps you in constant contact with authentic practice and reinforces what’s meaningful.