everything wrote:not particularly into this idea either, but since there isn't much to talk about ... am familiar with trying to cut through seemingly that stuff prepping meat. it sure seems to "hold" well.
... nvm "power" for a moment, what is the "fascial release" everyone seems to want/need?
origami_itto wrote:
In Taijiquan, fascial release is part of sung, we release the muscles and knots that snag our energy in places.
The direct effect of this is a greater overall elasticity of the body unit that helps forces generated at disparate ends of the body to be present at and reinforce each other.
...
The fascia when properly arranged and utilized functions in much the same way.
Bao wrote:Fascia is everywhere in the body, from on the bones to under the skin. It's just a very thin layer protecting and separating all of the muscles and organs. It does and can do absolutely nothing than this.
origami_itto wrote:Yes it is a part of the body, a particular part, like skin or bones, could you replace body every time you use skin or bones?
In particular here, the idea is that the fascia becomes bunched and stiff due to trauma and chronic tension. This leads to dysfunction.
The only thing it does is help keep things in place and moving past each other, but when there are dead spots of hardness and tension, that function is impaired.
The myofascial release therapy works in a particular order through the body for maximum impact.
origami_itto wrote:It's fascinating stuff, if you haven't seen this video it does a deep dive into the observed properties.
This tissue encases and permeates almost every tissue in the body, in particular the musculature.
So the theory goes in martial arts and body integration circles that this tissue can become bound up and lead to postural imbalance due to residual tension. Rolfing is a modality based on the theory.
In Taijiquan, fascial release is part of sung, we release the muscles and knots that snag our energy in places.
The direct effect of this is a greater overall elasticity of the body unit that helps forces generated at disparate ends of the body to be present at and reinforce each other.
Bao wrote:origami_itto wrote:Yes it is a part of the body, a particular part, like skin or bones, could you replace body every time you use skin or bones?
In particular here, the idea is that the fascia becomes bunched and stiff due to trauma and chronic tension. This leads to dysfunction.
The only thing it does is help keep things in place and moving past each other, but when there are dead spots of hardness and tension, that function is impaired.
The myofascial release therapy works in a particular order through the body for maximum impact.
Myofascial therapy is NOT what Tai Chi teachers talk about when they demonstrate Tai Chi.
Please don't confuse the subjects, what I have been talking about all the time and object to is to "use" fascia in a martial arts context, not therapy.
This is also true. However... When it comes to training Tai Chi Chuan, I'd say that the specific activation and connection through the fascia will be a result of 'normal' good and intensive training. If you train well, then fascial stretch, unsticking and connection will generally start to happen as a (positive) side-effect. If you have the experience and sensitivity to feel your own body at this level, it can provide feedback that you're training well at a certain moment, that you've hit a good quality and connection by doing what all the Tai Chi classics and any decent teacher will be encouraging you to do anyway.
So I would agree with critics (just) in the sense that putting a strong specific focus on fascia when training is not really helpful, certainly if it distracts from solid traditional training. For some it might be useful, sometimes, while for others it would probably divert away from what's really important. The simple act of extending and opening the body while simultaneously relaxing as much as possible (did I say simple...?), a key aspect of Tai Chi training or indeed of any 'internal' training, i.e. being 'song', is exactly what will also address various levels of fascia. So don't overthink it. Regard it as one type of welcome feedback that you're in the groove, along with other types of feedback.
On the other hand, any kind of hands-on bodywork/treatment (there's a long list) that helps to address, unstick and connect various levels of fascia will also, very probably, be good for your Tai Chi practice and development. As well as being generally good for health.
Giles wrote:So I would agree with critics (just) in the sense that putting a strong specific focus on fascia when training is not really helpful
...
On the other hand, any kind of hands-on bodywork/treatment (there's a long list) that helps to address, unstick and connect various levels of fascia will also, very probably, be good for your Tai Chi practice and development. As well as being generally good for health.
origami_itto wrote:I don't know what other people talk about only what I'm talking about, and this is what I'm talking about, so I'm going to talk about it.
Wu wei, friend, deal with what is present not what we imagine we'd rather deal with
suckinlhbf wrote:Giles, thanks for explaining the connection from your professional knowledge.
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