Job's Body is again the source for understanding the impact of tai chi.  Chapter 8, "The Sense of Effort" will touch on several aspects of sensory feedback that accompanies movement.  I will be interested in what this might reveal about how tai chi describes the sense of energy movement during tai chi and the role of the gaze in providing feedback.  A current class mantra of "extend to open, release to loosen" might take on additional significance if applied to the muscle as a sense organ.  The sensory endings in the muscle spindles and the Golgi tendon organs are so sensitive that it may be more appropriate to describe their actions as "feeling" rather that just mechanical adjustment of muscle contraction or lengthening.
It is easy to take for granted the role of sensory feedback in the control of our biomechanics until we attempt to operate without that feedback.  Take the attempts to use your hand after you have slept on it in a way that causes it to "go to sleep" from a nerve impingement.  Your muscles and tendons are functional and you can see what you intend to do, but movements are clumsy at best.  Any action requiring "sensitivity" is impossible to do with any accuracy.  Try picking up a pin with a numb hand.
A wide variety of sensory input structures are needed to detect qualities such as color, texture, odor taste, pitch, volume, equilibrium, limb position, pressure, weight, density and many other such distinctions.  Our muscles are filled with sensory organs that give no conscious sensation, but provide us with the feedback to make the above distinctions.  Add to that the role of the cerebellum in interpreting the sensations, below the level of conscious awareness, and you have a mysterious feedback loop system that could be called a double black box.
I have marveled at the ability to reach into a bag with a wide variety of objects of different size, shape, weight, smoothness, density and material; and to be able to sort through them to find a single item, like a certain size screw or a rubber band.  Sometimes the items is obscured and sight is required to make the distinction.  A bag of similar screws or rubber bands could be to difficult to sort through only by hand to find one of a certain size.
How this sensory feedback relates to the practice of tai chi is hard to describe, but not hard to accept as essential to the feel of the movement.  In the learning process there is an initial phase where the mental activity of memorizing the movement gets in the way of "feeling" the movement.  Often we need to use our vision to see if we have in fact executed a proper bow stance.  Ultimately, correct positioning begins to be felt as we relax our conscious control of our movements and let our kinesthetic sense guide us.  Extend to open, release to loosen is more than a tension release of the muscle spindle but also a release into the subconscious sensory feedback loop that allows for the feel of the movement to take over.
When considering the role of the myofascial sheath as a support structure with tensegrity qualities, the metaphor of extend to engage, rotate and release to activate, becomes profoundly appropriate.
A principle of tai chi is that movement is continuous without interruption.  This can only be accomplished with circular movements of the limbs and torso, especially at the end point of any form.  Any straight line action would result in an end point signifying a stopping and starting point. At the end of any form position is an end point that must be an extension to open the frame (or any single joint) followed by rotational transition to releasing to loosen.  The entire myofascial connective tissue structure (including, tendons, ligaments and bones) is included in this extending to open; and it is at this point that a release of energy is expressed, in the "small circle," to rotate into release to loosen.

Reading Job's Body by Deane Juhan provides continuing illustrations of how amazing the human body is and how its systems work together to produce the actions, feelings and stable structures that we take for granted.
With tai chi, always on my mind, every chapter reveals amazing details that can explain how tai chi works.  Chapter 7, "Muscle as a Sense Organ" is no exception.  The anatomical descriptions are so detailed that I can only refer the reader to the book rather than try to summarize.  I may try to pull out some of this detail in my review of the book on this blog, but for today, I will just mention a few of the aspects that are presented to stimulate an interest in further exploration by the reader.
Muscle tissue does not have sensory receptors as does the skin, bone or connective tissue, but it does have the mechanisms to create a kinesthetic sense.  Muscle spindle receptors detecting the slightest stretch of a muscle fiber, golgi bodies detecting stretch and pressure on the tendons, the reticular formation in the brain sensing levels of arousal, the functioning of the eyes and ears in maintaining equilibrium and other systems all work together in reflex arcs and loops to control muscle tone, spatial awareness,  perception of self and much more.  The intricate relationships between a wide variety of sensation coming from muscle activity are coordinated in the cerebellum in order for us to function.
How tai chi is learned through repetition becomes anatomically clear as the muscle sensory capacity comes to light.  Repetition as the main method of instruction becomes more that just a class mantra.  It is only through this repetition that the individual can begin to benefit from the alignment, release of tension and the sense of equilibrium that, along with an awareness of body mind centering, may be the best definition of chi or life force.  My personal preference in referring to chi is to see it not as something that is created or even generated, but rather something that is released when it is not blocked.  I am reminded of a favorite reference in "Anatomy Trains" that the ancient Greek  philosopher/physician, Paracelsus believes that "all disease is caused by blockage".  In tai chi parlance it can be said that "the generation of chi is a release of blockage".

It has been a long time since I last posted.  The reasons are varied and they still exist.  Part of the reason, and it is just an excuse rather than a reason, are the random distractions of life.  I have some very good distractions, but they are just an excuse.
The other reason for not posting is that I lack a clear focus as to what I am trying to convey in posts.  I have gone back and forth between posts being the vehicle for reviewing the prime literature that informs my process and post being a reflection on what I am reading and thinking.
My ultimate objective is to shed light on the physiology of tai chi.  It is a vastly broad objective with no expectation that an answer will be found.  The process is about creating questions and then shedding some light on them for consideration.
So, this post is just a statement of a new direction.  Reviews of literature, such as Job's Body need to be kept in the content of the pages.  At this point the pages are clear.  They are the titles of the several books that I have found that reflect on the physiology of tai chi.  Reading and rereading these books continues to open up new ideas about what is going on in the body/mind while doing tai chi.  I can and will probably never finish with the process of gleaning from these books the gems that I want to reflect upon,
Posting needs to become a spontaneous expression of an idea that arises from this reading.  Post may make reference to the passage and refer the reader to the pages that inspired the idea, or to the book in general from which the idea came.
I also need to keep in mind that my posts do not need to be answers; they may not even be well formulated questions,  but they need to be whatever my reading inspires me to consider.  Readers may find many post to be rambling and incoherent and as such, can be ignored.  For me posting is part of the journey.  If I don't post, then I am not going anywhere.  With that said, I am going to end this post and do some reading.  I may post again soon or not for awhile, but, at lease, I am clear to myself, that posting is for me.

Job's Body review continued/Sensorimotor Education and Self Awareness

Continuing the review of Job's Body, we find in the introduction  (pp. xxviii-xxxi) a discussion of the importance of subjective data regarding our health.  We have been discouraged from applying "how we feel" to our diagnosis of our health and replaced it with objective data about the state of our health. Data such as weight and body fat (BMI), cholesterol levels along with a full battery of blood analysis is used to tell us whether we are healthy and to suggest medication and/or dietary changes necessary for us to meet the health norms.  Juhan states that, "Behind that acculturated blindness lies the reason for most of the ailments, diseases and strokes that typify contemporary culture".

Rather than discounting the information provided by science, Juhan would suggest that we add to that our own awareness of the sensations that precede, accompany and follow changes in our physical wellbeing.  His point to bodyworkers is that the body work "delivers self-awareness rather than pharmaceuticals or scalpels" to aid in making the changes necessary for health.

It has become my personal stance that we need to take full responsibility for our heath, our fitness, and our aging, if we expect to live full vibrant lives throughout, no matter what the age.  In fact, that is the primary objective of this blog.  I want to be fully aware of all information available from all sources, in order to make the best decisions based on self awareness.  There are dangers in this approach, but much less dangerous than to allow the medical community to do this for us, using the same incomplete information.

One of my favorite lines relative to the role of science in our lives comes from The Fourth Way by P.D. Ouspensky, as he attempts to lay out the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff.  Paraphrasing what Ouspensky says about science: "Science is not a cloudy picture of a real world, but a very clear picture of an unreal world."  Suggesting that science does not tell the full story, in fact, obscures the full story.

In making the case for self awareness, Juhan states, "Far from being mere hedonism, 'the improvement of sensual pleasure' is self-serving in the broadest, most enlightened and responsible sense of the word. It implies an intimate embrace of the good things that both physical and mental sides of life have to offer, and a desire to enjoy those goodnesses with others".

Rather than citing examples from each and every one of my sources to support the above, I will make just a few comments.  It is apparent to me that all movement modalities and/or manipulation therapies have at their base an enhancement of self awareness that in itself is movement towards health.  Taijiquan and yoga directly bring awareness to our body's alignment, release of tension and an increase in essential energy called qi and prana respectively.  Alexander Technique and Body Mind Centering are even more focused on the elements of self responsibility and self awareness in their contribution to letting the body heal itself.

In the movement system expounded in Supple Leopard there is equal treatment given to correct exercise techniques along with the maintenance of suppleness in connective tissue and joints.  The level of attention given to the proper care of the body before, during and after exercise brings the Supple Leopard to the same level of self awareness that may seem more integral to the more meditative movement systems.

Not one of my stated sources, but a current source of information is Ken Wibur's, "A Brief History of Everything."  I have taken from my current reading that changes in "World Views" is an evolutionary process and that there are signs that we are moving from a current "Rational/Industrial" world view to a post-rational world view; which, in my opinion, may very well included subjective self awareness as relevant in determining our state of health and how we attain and maintain it at an optimal level.

Excerpts from Job's Body and connection to Taijiquan

Job's Body by Deanne Juhan makes the connection between bodywork and taijiquan.  While most of the content is anatomy and physiology, the author never fails to note the interconnectedness of the systems of our A&P.  Below are some excerpts to stoke your interest in exploring this resource more fully.

In the preface (pp xxii) Juhan discusses what body work can do.  To paraphrase, he says,  "Manual manipulation does result in mechanical changes which can relax muscles, free up joints and restore fuller range of pain free motion, but we are also a confluence of physics, chemistry, consciousness streams and quanta of energies that interpenetrate each other in complex ways".

(pp. xxv-xxvi)  Again paraphrasing:  "Thru friction on the skin, pressure on deep tissue, distortion of tissue surrounding joints, the organism perceives itself and, thereby, organizes its internal and external muscular responses.  This sense of self becomes habitual and does not let us know when such movements may be harmful, as in misalignment, or cause unnecessary muscular tension".  Juhan suggests that skillful touching of a manual manipulation therapist can penetrate this blockage and allow the body to heal.  Trying to do this for oneself can be self defeating because of deep seated postural habits , sensory cues and mental images that tell us that all is normal.

Taijiquan note:  Fong Song, roughly translated as release to loosen, is a common taijiquan dictum for the release of obstructions and tension which allows for the free flowing of these "quanta of energies", and is one description of qi (energy or life force).

Alexander Technique Note: The Alexander Technique refers to "Faulty Sensory Perception" in insisting that a client cannot self correct postural alignment problems or faulty "use of the self."  Only through the releasing of postural and movement habits and relearning new ones, can changes take place.  Hands on assistance by an Alexander Technique practitioner is critical to success.  Alexander Technique describes, basically, the same precise alignment recommendations as you will find in yoga and taijiquan (see note below)

Taijiquan and yoga note:  Tai Chi and Yoga use long term movement and stance practice to bring about the release of habitual misalignment and resultant tensions.
In Taijiquan it all starts with the 4 principles of alignment, 3 movement principle and 3 principle of harmonizing of the mind.  These are clearly described in Yang Yang's book Taijiquan, Art of Nurturing, the Science of Power, reviewed in this blog.

Anatomy Trains note:  Describes the changes that take place at the cellular level and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) through repetitive movements.  Collagen may be laid down by fibroblasts in response to stress that is registered as a piezo-electric affect in the cells.  In the bone osteoblasts lay down new bone in response mechanical stress and osteoclasts eat bone in the absence of stress.  The result of these processes is a permanent change in the connective tissue and bone from repetitive movements.  Permanent is a relative term, in that, over time, a change in movement patterns can again change the structure of the connective tissue.

Sensing, Feeling and Action note:  Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen might describe such changes as "repatterning" which takes place in the presence of the body mind centering as described in her BMC approach.

Molecules of Emotion note: The question to ask is "what is the contribution of the neural feedback loop that includes neuropeptides and neuro-receptors, in how we feel as we move, learn and adapt in the use of our body (mind).

The Evolution of Fitness for the Ageless

Post #2 and I am moving in a new direction already.  I realized from the first post that I don't want to post detailed information from my sources.  I will instead review my sources in detail on the pages headed with the source names, e.g. Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers.  Those pages will have a brief summary of why they are included in my investigation followed by the detailed page reviews that I find relevant to my study of the science of taijiquan.  This give me much more leeway in what information I site without burdening posts with scientific jargon and concepts that may be only peripherally related to the topic.  Post will make liberal use of links to my reviewed sources as well as to other sources that readers are encourage to explore as their time and interest allows.

My blogging skills are a work in progress.  If I wait until I have them and the blog looks the way I imagine it, I may never get another post published; so I am going to post this now.  I don't actually have anyone following my post, as I have not even given the link to family or close friends in my tai chi community.  Basically I am posting now to keep myself moving and to clarify what it is that I actually want in my blog.  I may not post again until I get the basic source materials summarized in my page links, but we shall see.
 

Welcome to my first post

     My first post will be a welcome to all interested persons that are curious about what makes tai chi work in creating a health body, mind and spirit.  I will try to avoid using posts to define terms or draw summary conclusions.  Post will only be used to present detailed information obtained from sources that are being researched.  Links to the sources and blog page links to definitions and conclusions will be used to expand the posts and draw conclusions.
     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.