Should the weight be toward the heel in this movement?

[Anonymous]

The weight was described as being toward the heel when doing Tiger walks to allow energy to drop down. Does this movement have that same characteristic for the weighted leg, or should the weight be more evenly distributed across the entire foot?

Thanks!

Erik

[Anonymous]

Erik. I find as I shift to one side and pivot, the weight is distributed across the sole of the foot on the weighted foot to give stability and the turning foot just keeps contact with the earth with the ball of the foot. While sunk on the planted foot, I feel the lift through the spine / crown and have the feeling I could actually lift the turning foot and not topple. I really appreciate your question because I practiced for another 5 minutes trying to feel differences when I shifted to heel pressure. I did adjust my stance making it a bit wider. It felt better. I tended to keep the torso more upright and had a better connection through the kwa. I cannot believe how much these simple moves awaken awareness of the body more fully. Have a good one! ruth

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply Ruth. I have found it a little easier to sink my weight if I use more heel pressure but I don’t seem able to rotate quite as easily. I will keep experimenting with it.

Erik

[Anonymous]

Hi Erik. I’ve kept experimenting, too. I began to move more quickly on the toe pivot/turning until I listened more attentively to the instructions. As I slowed and returned to the central posture, making sure I was stable, I noticed something. Turning. I had a tendency to let the coccyx area lift and was neither ‘seated’ nor stable. The lift was slight.Then, I concentrated more on the effect of the heel lift to sink the area, providing stability. It is one of my weaknesses. I better understood what you observed. When I fall into unequal weight, with a tendency to lean forward ever so slightly, I return to a little exercise. I take a small, empty step into a bow stance and very, very gradually allow the weight to flow into the forward foot until the back heel of the other foot naturally begins to lift. Then, I shift back to equilibrium just to get the feel. I do a number of repetitions, forward and back,- left and right. It’s a little exercise but mindful and it has really helped me to soften, relax, sink and lift. I share this ‘weakness challenge’ because your question truly helped me. Again, Erik, thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi Erik
from what i got from the video the shifting of the weight to the heels was introduced in the standing practice to sink the entire energy of the body down.
in the case of doing it in the qi gong movement . since there are other movements of the body and the legs involved such as twisting and folding of the qua. i’m no expert but i think it wouldn’t be wise to force the weight intentionaly on the heels. the key guidance for me on shifting weight on the foot is to feel that the leg is well connected to the ground with minimum effort and that i can be bouncy throughout the different positions of the body and legs during the movement
hope this helps

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