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Tiger Walking

What is Tiger Walking? It sounds strange enough, but consider what you are picturing as you hear the expression. A tiger-quiet, sleek, fast, relaxed, powerful, strong. Yes, this is what Tiger Walking cultivates. Think of how we walk now. Generally, our heads are tilted somewhat forward; we've got places to go and things to do. We're determined. We rise up on our feet, put one foot down, and follow that foot with the crashing weight of the rest of our bodies. Tiger Walking teaches us quiet, sleek, and focused attention to our entire bodies. Not simply standing still, but moving through our days, our worlds, and our lives. How about as a martial art? Tiger Walking keeps us connected to the Earth, making it very difficult for someone to knock us over. When we Tiger Walk, we can engage our opponent without losing our own balance. It isn't easy to learn. But, once you get it, it's simple to do. If you can, practice barefoot. If not, very soft-soled shoes or even slippers would be best. Big sneakers and running shoes make this much harder to learn. The whole focus is the bottoms of your feet. Remember a Couple of Things Keep your knees at the same height. Don't let one go high or low. Don't bounce! Your belly button ALWAYS defines your body's center; your nose faces the same way as your belly button Your hips don't wiggle; they don't shift from side to side, as they often will do in our current style of walking Think in terms of a clock. Remember 12, 6, 9, 3, 10, and 2. Feel yourself at the center of this clock, as you are at the center of the universe. Develop a feeling that your feet are in the floor, rather than on the floor. Lots of images help here. Perhaps there is syrup on the bottoms of your feet. Perhaps marshmallows.

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The Process

We begin the practice of Tiger Walking with the Commencement. As always in Tai Chi practice, give yourself enough time. Feel rooted to the earth and sure of the space that you are in. Feel the weight of your body distributed equally between your two legs and into both of your feet. Inhale, relaxing your torso so that you can receive the breath. Exhale, and gently relax your knees, letting them bend slightly. Feel the flexibility in your legs. They are loose but strong, as if you are preparing to dive. Toes relaxed. Continue breathing and relaxing and prepare yourself. Focus your attention. Notice what you are looking at. Don't stare; just see, observe, and take everything in. Relax the muscles of your face. Sink slightly deeper into your left leg, allowing both knees to bend more, but absorbing more of your body weight into your left leg. Your right leg is "emptying". Lift your right foot off the floor, very consciously, as if you are PEELING it off. The heel comes first, then the ball of the foot, and last, the toes. Notice that your right knee needs to bend to allow this to occur. Lift your foot just enough for it to detach from the floor. Both of your knees are still at the same height. Now your weight is fully on your left leg. With your right foot, step forward to 2:00, but keep your weight on your back leg. You place your foot on the floor in the same order as you lifted it. First the heel comes down. Then the ball of the foot, then the toes. This is actually the hard part. We will naturally "fall" into the foot that is stepping forward, but this is precisely what we do not wish to do. When you step forward to 2:00, keep your toes facing 12:00. You've just "un-peeled" your foot and put it back. Your right foot is now extended but your left leg is holding your weight. Now we've got to shift our weight to the front leg or we'll be here forever! Bring your attention to the back leg, and gently start to press it into this floor. This will begin to propel you forward. As you move forward, your front knee will have to bend. Now your front leg is bent and your back leg is straight. Now you've got to get your back foot off the floor or you'll be in this position forever! Same principle: you are peeling your foot off the floor. The heel comes first, just like the front leg, then the ball, then the toes. Just like the other leg, the knee will have to bend to allow this to occur. Bring your back knee in line with your front knee but don't put your foot on the floor. Because your front foot, the right one, is at 2:00, you have to bring your back leg forward and inward. Now time to step forward. Your weight is in your right leg. Left leg has knee bent. This just how you were in Steps 4 and 5 above, only now your left leg is "empty". With your left foot, step forward to 10:00, but keep your weight on your back leg. You place your foot on the floor in the same order as you lifted it. First the heel comes down. Then the ball of the foot, then the toes. When you step forward to 10:00, keep your toes facing 12:00. Your left foot is now extended but your right leg is holding your weight. Now we've got to once again shift our weight to the front leg. Bring your attention to the back leg, and gently start to press it into this floor. Once again you are being propelled forward, so, allow this to happen by softening your front knee. Your weight moves forward to your front leg, and again your front leg is bent and your back leg is straight. Well, we've taken one full step, and it seemed like an eternity. This is real mindfulness practice; this is complete focus. Oh, by the way, have you been breathing? Go ahead. Let out some air.

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Practice

The rest is repetition. Over and over again. Sink into the legs. Step out to 2:00. Push with back leg, shifting the weight to the front leg. Peel the back leg off the floor; bring it forward and in to the front leg, but keep it sweeping outward to 10:00. The foot un-peels back to the floor. Shift weight by pressing with the back leg and allowing the front knee to bend. 2:00, 10:00; again and again. This is SLOW! It's hard to learn. It will seem like forever to get across your kitchen or den floor. But, do it anyway. We are certainly willing to try diets and pills, liposuction and facelifts, nose jobs and hair replacement. Just try this. It costs nothing. It takes about 15 minutes and you can do it while you are waiting for the pasta water to boil. How will you benefit? You will develop an astounding ability to concentrate, to remain calm and unperturbed, to stay centered and focused on your task. You will develop strength and stamina in your legs. You will learn that you are not breathing when you should You will notice when you are holding tension in your body and develop the tools you need to release that tension. You will be sleek, quiet, strong, and grounded.

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