Same, Same, but different, different

         Tai Chi continues to be full of insights.  The movements we've been learning lately provide many layers to be further explored, but the one I want to address is the last move we have currently ended on.  The funny thing about this move is that it is very similar to another move we've done a few times already, except for the way we get into it.  The move is a cat stance, toes up, and arms in a guard.  Usually we are stepping forward and settling into it, but this last move is the opposite, we're stepping back and settling.  The finish is the same, but boy does it change the feel and intention of the movement.  First I found my timing was really off.  Then I was overthinking where I was stepping.  By the end of class it started to feel better; I was figuring some of the physical mechanics and internal workings out.  I just found it so interesting how even though it is so similar, it could be so different.  Which makes me think of our other forms and how other students move.  Sure the finishing can look the same, but how they get there is what really matters.  Even for myself that can change by the day or by simply shifting my intention.  The end result can look the same from an outside perspective, but if you were to watch the lead up, you would see that it is, in-fact, quite different.

        Working on Da Mu Hsing, I've been dissecting a few of the movements, how I'm getting into them, and how I'm releasing my energy.  There are a couple of sticky parts I've been working on in particular.  One part was feeling good, but I think with my knee injury and being higher in my high back stance, it has thrown it off again.  Time to look more into this and adjust.  The other area I'm feeling a pull from the hip, but sometimes I feel I'm not quite grounded.  It is the elongated punch after the knife hand.  I took it to the heavy bag and the punch felt solid.  May be one of those things that what I'm feeling vs. what is happening isn't quite aligning.  Actually I think I may have just discovered something while typing this out.  Will discuss in my one-on-one tomorrow to discuss further.