Benched but still in the game

         I may be sidelined at the moment, but that doesn't mean that my training has stopped.  I'm finding ways to continue and learn.  Setting up one-on-ones to find strategies to keep training.  I also still want to help out at the level 1 classes, and I believe I still have something to offer, even though I am physically limited.

        Here are of the few things that I have been working on/ have discovered over the past couple of weeks.  Firstly, with my lower half cut out, I've been exploring where my generation of power is coming from.  Surprisingly it's been easier to feel since I have less moving parts.  I can really feel it bursting forth from my centre.  I've also realized that whatever surface I'm sitting on becomes my new source of skeletal alignment and grounding of energy into the earth.  for instance, high rising block.  I can generate and snap out the power, and whatever force I would take, would then be transferred through my body into my seat and down into the ground.  So you don't necessarily need your legs beneath you to defend or release energy.  It sure helps though.  

        What I do miss is my ability to really sink in to my stances and my footwork.  I can still lower my centre of gravity in a high stance, but without being able to really sink and corkscrew my energy through my legs, it does lead to a shift in my stances that I know aren't great.  It is very evident in my Tai Chi.  I also miss my footwork.  Even going over something like wrist lock progression, I found it was made difficult because I didn't have the same lightness in my step, and normally I would be transitioning more with my feet to get a flow.  Being kind of stuck more stationary really lessens the flow I get from one technique to the next.

        I do worry to an extent that I'm going to form some bad habits.  I know that I'll have to work extra hard to gain back some of the movement I need to get my harmonies back.  The knowledge is still there though.  I was able to participate in the level 1 class last night after Tai Chi, and helped a student with some parts in Da Mu Hsing I, and even started the first few moves of DMH II.  I was hesitant at first, but I was still able to show them what the motions were supposed to look like, even though I know they don't look like what they used to.  I was able to pass on the spirit of the lesson.