Jumping in with a post in the middle of a review of one of my source books, will seem a bit disjointed at first, but in time, the purpose of posting will become clearer. I have previously read and footnoted all of the books that I have selected as my initial source books. To get started, it might be a good idea to check out the links to these books, which will explain the special place each book has in my research and why I am pulling out the following information presented in this and other posts.
I won't repeat the following disclaimer in future posts, as I have included a general disclaimer in the description of my blog purpose and process. But, I feel a need to state it once more in this first post. I have an educated background in anatomy and physiology that allows me to understand the material I am reading, but I am far from an expert in the subjects that I am reviewing. My knowledge in a variety of subjects related to anatomy, physiology and movement systems allows me to see the connections that MAY exist. It is the purpose of this blog to present these connections so that others can consider them within their own knowledge base and experience and to comment as to where they agree or disagree. I consider this blog to be as much about my education as it is about me presenting facts. In order to not get bogged down with scientific rationale for every entry, I am going to throw out information as I see it and let the reader use what seems relevant and accurate. So, of course, I encourage responses that correct what I have written as well as add to what I have written. I will include such corrections and additions in future posts.
I am currently reviewing Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers. I began rereading and re-reviewing this book some time ago as the first of my rereading for posting after having read through the book over the past two years. I picked this book first for blog posting because it gets to the root of the anatomy and physiology that relates to unifying concepts with tai chi.
In the first chapter, pg. 18-23, Myers discusses the "Building of the Body", as an adaptation to the stresses that are placed upon it. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts work together to create connective tissue, e.g. bone, that reflects the stresses that are put on it. Piezo-electric charges result from pressure applied to connective tissue. Bone that is piezo-electrically charged will adapt differently from bone that is not. Osteoclasts clean up old bone that is not piezo-electrically charged, and osteoblasts lays down new bone that is piezo-electrically charges. Through the give and take of these two processes, bone and connective tissue will make slow changes to adapt to the stress or lack of stress that is put on it.
Tai Chi Commentary: Repetitive movements with coiling forces at the joints, combined with bracing contractions needed to stabilize alignment, create an environment for connective tissue adaptation. Taijiquan is characterized by repetitive movements that are efficient and aligned for maximum stability. This will be a major theme in analyzing taijiquan and its benefits for health.
Future posts will present additional references to how the body builds itself, but it is not the intent of posts to present all of the scientific detail and supporting evidence. Rather, it is intended that the interested reader would go to the source material for further reading.
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