San Ti or Embracing the tree – which is better?

[Anonymous]

Hi guys
I usually start with San Ti for the first 15min and then go for embracing the tree for another 15min….my question: I feel MORE chi on my hands when I do embracing the tree stance than San Ti…why is that do you think?

After 27 breaths I change sides because I cannot stand more on that side…what are your thoughts?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hey George,

Interesting observations. My 2 cents on it: when you embrace the tree, you’re letting your palms face your body, so the feeling of connecting to your field is more obvious. You can certainly look for the same feeling in San Ti by playing with the pressures in the palms (outward and downward).

On the other hand, it depends what you are training in each posture: the sense of your field/energy? a specific neigong element like twisting or opening/closing? or some other practice with your intent?

The different postures will set all these things up differently, which is why we practice them!

Personally, I like to make a separation between San Ti time and other postures (and limit how many I change through in a single session) because it fives me a clearer sense of what effects the postures have on my mind, body, and energy.

It sounds like you’re running some good experiments though!

Dan

[Anonymous]

hi george
I get quite different feelings from san ti and similar postures, and embracing the tree type postures.

san ti is an extremely yang practice, the action is literally pushing away while tree holding is essentially a yin posture, you are literally holding or bringing towards with the pose.

I notice that san ti helps me feel more connected, balanced and stable, but iI don’t feel as much of an energetic sensation with it.
with a yin arm posture like holding the tree, I get more body softening and energy movement naturally.

in general, seems like the softer the energy is (not empty, just soft) the more I can feel it flowing through my hands and body.

I don’t get that sense so much in san ti, it’s more like I use the chi and the body are just connected. when moving, you can feel the chi moving more, but in the holding posture, it’s more like, well, im trying to avoid saying it feels metallic, but I can’t think of a more accurate word. connected and settled, maybe.

bruce talked about in tai chi, you get to where the chi is really flowing through the hands, but that in hsing-i, its more like the energy is connected to your hand. both are using chi, but in a different way. perhaps you are noticing that (tree pose is kinda similar to tai chi postures, yes?)

seems like this is a good place to be, starting to notice how the practices affect you differently. on an energetic level.

[Author]

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