Waist direction in Santi

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  • November 5, 2013 at 8:35 pm #128915

    Anonymous
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    Regarding how far one turns the waist in Santi:

    If one had a straight rod through the bellybutton and orthogonal to the plane of the torso, would the rod be parallel to (inline with) the front foot or more inline with the direction of the back foot (45 degrees)? That is, what is the direction the waist takes in standing in Santi? Is the eventual goal to be able to face exactly forward?

    Thanks!
    Jeff

    November 9, 2013 at 1:10 am #133775

    Anonymous
    Guest

    I asked a similar question today

    I am under the impression (and I could be wrong)’
    that the waist must put you your torso in the center

    I also am under the firm belief that the rear knee must be parallel to the rear foot
    otherwise your knee ligaments will be pulled out of line.

    this leads me to believe that whatever your development the knee alignment must supercede any other alignment you are going for.

    should the hips and waist both be squared and facing center>

    I use to strive for this but I found i did it at the expense of my knee alignment which is no good .

    So at present I turn the hip enough and open my quas so that i can keep the knee toe alignment and then I coil the waist to stay centered

    I hope this helps you with your question

    I hope some senior people weigh in to correct anything I said wrong

    November 9, 2013 at 1:18 am #133776

    Anonymous
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    I dont think I answered properly. in my above post

    My answer is yes to your question
    I do believe the goal is to be in the center

    but it takes time to develop the muscles to both open and relax
    and the strength to coil a lot of things are trying to prevent you from staying in the center.

    I have also seen plenty of competent masters who seem not to be facing exactly in the center. So PErhaps this is a debatable point.

    If you are going for central alignment As do I

    you must do it through intent of will rather than sheer effort

    and you must not forsake the alignment of the rear knee and toe

    November 16, 2013 at 3:51 am #133777

    Anonymous
    Guest

    Steven,

    Thank you for your helpful observations and comments.

    Jeff

    November 22, 2013 at 3:07 am #133778

    Anonymous
    Guest

    Hi Jeff,

    From what I observed in the DVDs, the waist appears to be turned 45°. I don’t know if that’s the best way to do it, or the most orthodox, but it’s how I practice. I like it because it makes the weighted leg be perfectly aligned with the torso, so there is no twisting in any direction and it’s totally safe for the knee.

    Regards,

    Erwan

    November 27, 2013 at 2:23 pm #133779

    Anonymous
    Guest

    Thanks Erwan. This makes the most sense to me also. Keeping the knee safe has become a high priority for me (I had surgery for a torn meniscus), so your comments are very much appreciated!

    November 28, 2013 at 9:28 pm #133780

    Anonymous
    Guest

    I’m glad it helped :-)

    November 28, 2013 at 9:55 pm #133781

    Anonymous
    Guest

    Hi Jeff,

    Isaac Kamins answered a question on that same subject a while ago :

    “When I first started in the early 90s he taught us straight ahead first and after a few months he had us turn our waist to 45. The straight ahead develops stability faster, the 45 opens the body up a little more.”

    Erwan

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