Spiral Anatomy

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Susan A. Matthews, M.S.
Shanti School of Taijiquan
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Durango, Colorado
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• Spiral Anatomy •

• Advanced Biomechanics and Mind-Movement Integration Training: Postural Correction, Strength Training, Skiing and other Sports Performance

Susan A. Matthews, M.S. © 2003

Internal martial arts can be described in terms of physical biomechanical movement, visualization of movement of internal energy, and mental or spiritual intent. All of these components must be integrated with each other to create effective, relaxed, whole-body movement, full of power which can be gathered and released, and also contain the potential for healing the body and promoting spiritual development.

The principles of mind, energy movement, and biomechanics used in Tai Chi can applied with focused training to skiing and other sports and, as we have found, can enhance performance of both novices and veterans of any sport. Many levels of integration can be developed over time and we believe these qualities have value in every aspect of life, in every movement we make, and in every breath of energy we take. Regardless of the level of internal energy development one practices, there are certain movement patterns, strength, and principles of whole and integrated body mechanics which can be understood and utilized more immediately. This is especially true with Tai Chi practitioners or with athletes who have already developed a level of proficiency in their field.

My approach in teaching these principles is unique because it has has provided a model and a language for understanding this universal mechanical and energetic movement: a pattern, which generates efficient, relaxed, effortless movement, using less muscle and more spiraling bone strength. By universal I mean it is based on spirals (and later waves) which are found in all living, growing things in nature including the way fish swim, snakes slither, birds fly, and even inherent in why trees and seashells grow in spirals. Explore the following princiPLes:

· Biomechanics of Rooting: A strong root is obtained with understanding postural alignment in gravity, lowering the center of balance, and the mechanics of transferring weightedness to the feet.

· Biomechanics of Spiraling Bones: Chan Ssu Chin practice strengthens and connects all the joints and tendons into one continuous "snake." Physical strength can be greatly increased through the use of integrated "bone" power rather than through reliance on muscular strength.

· Energetics of Rooting: Sinking energy from the upper to lower body, growing roots.

· Energetics of True Grounding: Energetically ground/fill/connect the upper and lower body with the energy outside the body and be able to move with it and heal with it. Cultivation of Neijing jin.

· Waist/Hip Mechanics: Stable, rotational hip mechanics; sacrum, tailbone function in transmitting movement through the spine.

· Dantien Energy Power: Dantien (abdominal) rotation creates fluidity in movement, and movement in which the body or torso moving at the center generates all movement of the extremities.

· Back Power: The waist includes the dantien in front and ming men and kidneys in the back. Sinking the shoulders into the low back transfers shoulder power to the more powerful hips and legs. Power Stretch is a technique to connect the back to the waist as well as energize bone/tendon/ligament throughout the body.

· Structure and Biomechanics of the Spine: Relationship of neck and shoulder to hip through the spine and down to the feet.

· Energy in the Spine: Zhong Ding Jin suspends the spine between Heaven and Earth. Gather and release from this energetic core.

· Energy transmission from heaven and earth through the heart is an expression of the creative spirit of the individual, beautiful, wise and full of love.
"Better body mechanics, along with postural corrections which improved my hip joint mobility, have had a phenomenal impact on my skiing and other sports. The most direct application, however, has been in skiing. I have skied since I was a kid. My dad was a ski instructor. I skied most every weekend in high school then took a good many years off while living in Austin, TX . I got back on skis and started tai chi with Susan Matthews last year. After one season I have reached a whole new level by incorporating the ‘backwards bicycle’ and ‘spiraling’ throughout the entire body. Instead of using a great deal of energy and strength, I can easily relax into my skiing groove with solid carving turns." Tracy Henderson, 2002. Tracy is 36 years old, has 25 years experience as a skier, ten years as a martial artist, and is a mountain bike enthusiast.

"My skiing had plateaued for about three years, and after only 7 weeks of taijiquan, I rip. The change is awesome, like night and day. Now I move with more relaxation and efficiency—it’s effortless, like water." —Todd Swanson, 1999